Houston, TX Crime Rate & Safety

Houston, TX has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 3% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 262 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 44 chance for property crime. Houston has higher crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Houston has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 84% of the city's 113 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, New Forest is one of the safest areas, while South Main has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Houston is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Houston are New Forest, Remington Ranch, Stone Gate, Riata Ranch, and Green Trails. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Houston include South Main, Macgregor, Sunnyside, Greater OST / South Union, and Kashmere Gardens. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Houston is 381.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 0% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 262 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.3 per 100K (5% above average); aggravated assault at 261.8 per 100K (2% below average); robbery at 83.5 per 100K (13% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Houston is 2,291.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 44 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 301.8 per 100K (12% above average); larceny/theft at 1,629.7 per 100K (16% above average); vehicle theft at 360.1 per 100K (13% above average).

Houston's overall crime rate is 3% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (16% above average), while rape is 9% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Houston has higher crime than 69% of them.

Visitors to Houston should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 25% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include New Forest, Remington Ranch, Stone Gate.

Texas as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Houston's crime rate is 3% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Houston, with an estimated rate of 1,629.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 16% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,292 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (381 per 100K) in Houston, which is consistent with national trends.