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Last Modified on Mar 01, 2026
Living in a safe environment is important to most people. You want to be sure that the area you put down roots in is going to be safe for your family, for your friends, and for yourself. The last thing you want to worry about is crime and how it could affect your life. It’s important to know the Texas crime rate by city.
Texas is one of the most populous and fast-growing states in the country, but it also has a significant crime rate, particularly in larger cities. Knowing the crime rate in Texas by city is important to many residents and visitors alike.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
When facing criminal charges, it is always smart to hire a criminal defense lawyer who can review the charges and determine an appropriate defense strategy. At Greco Neyland, PC, our team is dedicated to helping our clients navigate the complicated criminal process.
The Importance of a Safe City
It’s no secret that some cities and towns in the United States feel safer than others. Still, it is important to remember that safety is a fairly subjective term and means different things to different people.
A city’s crime rate can be a deal breaker for prospective homeowners looking to move to a new place. It’s always important to conduct your own research and draw your own conclusions about a place, but crime rates may matter more to you when determining a city’s safety.
Texas Crime Rate by City
Looking at crime rates can be misleading when comparing across multiple reporting agencies. Some agencies focus on crime rates, while others focus only on volume. Both measures are important, but it can be difficult to compare studies by different agencies.
Crime rates are most often measured as the number of offenses per 100,000 population. Crime volume is the actual number of reported offenses. Areas with higher populations have a higher volume of reported offenses. Looking at crime rates makes it easier to compare cities.
In a recent study by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), crime rates for various offenses were compared over a 4-year period. In this study, the top 25 jurisdictions are listed in order from highest to lowest population as of 2024.
Overall, crime rates per 100,000 population have decreased in Texas. As of 2024, the crime rate is 2,491.2, an 8.8% decrease from 2023. From 2021 to 2024, Texas’ crime rate has fallen 8.0%. Here are the various crime rates of Texas cities as listed by the Texas DPS:
- Houston: The major city with the state’s highest crime rate, has seen a 1.1% increase in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 5,545.5 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 3.6%.
- San Antonio: Another major Texas city, San Antonio, has had a 14.8% increase in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 5,318.2 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 15.5%.
- Dallas: Another major Texas city, Dallas, has had a 6.2% decrease in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 4,100.4 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 14.9%.
- Fort Worth: The city of Fort Worth experienced a 1.7% decrease in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 3,231.0 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 0.1%.
- Austin: Another major Texas city, Austin, has had a 4.1% decrease in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 3,772.8 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 3.8%.
- El Paso: The city of El Paso had a 14.2% increase in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 1,817.8 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 8.4%.
- Lubbock: The city of Lubbock had a 28.3% decrease in crime between 2021 and 2024. As of 2024, the crime rate is 3,517.7 per 100,000 population. From 2023 to 2024, the crime rate fell 13.7%.
Texas crime data from the DPS shows varied rates across major cities between 2021 and 2024. Houston had the highest crime rate per 100,000 population at 5,545.5, while Laredo experienced the largest surge at 20.6% with a crime rate per 100,000 population of 1,894.6.
Lubbock achieved the largest reduction at 28.3%, despite maintaining a rate of 3,571.7 per 100,000 population. McKinney had the lowest rate per 100,000 population at 948.3 and saw an 8.0% decrease from 2023 to 2024.
Looking at crime rates per 100,000 population allows for easier comparisons between cities with vastly different populations. The five cities with the highest rates of crime in Texas are:
- Houston at 5,545.5
- San Antonio at 5,318.2
- Dallas at 4,100.4
- Corpus Christi at 3,982.5
- Austin at 3,772.8
Texas Crime Volume by City
The Texas DPS also releases information on the total number of reported offenses for cities across Texas. Looking only at total crime volume can be misleading when comparing large and small cities.
Overall, 774,941 offenses were reported to law enforcement in Texas in 2024. Here are the various crime volumes of Texas cities as listed by the Texas DPS:
- Houston. With the highest volume, Houston reported 128,608 offenses.
- San Antonio. The total number of offenses reported in San Antonia reached 80,542.
- Dallas. The total number of offenses reported in Dallas reached 54,187.
- Fort Worth. The total number of offenses reported in Fort Worth reached 32,228.
- Austin. The total number of offenses reported in Austin reached 37,147.
- El Paso. The total number of offenses reported in El Paso reached 12,340.
- Lubbock. The total number of offenses reported in Lubbock reached 9,640.
The five cities in Texas with the highest crime volume are:
- Houston at 128,608
- San Antonio at 80,542
- Dallas at 54,187
- Austin at 37,147
- Fort Worth at 32,228
Key Changes and Why They Matter
Crime rates facilitate easier comparisons across areas and account for changes in population size from one year to another. In recent years, Texas residents have moved away from larger cities and settled in smaller areas.
From 2023 to 2024, Texas had decreases in both crime volume and rates across most categories. Large increases or decreases in any single category can alter the overall rating when crime is compared as a whole.
Violent crime rates fell 5.4% with key changes in specific categories, including:
- 4.5% decrease in aggravated assault
- 8.5% decrease in robbery
- 3.8% decrease in rape
- 16.9% decrease in murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
- 4.8% increase in human trafficking for sex acts
- 32.6% decrease in human trafficking for involuntary servitude
Property crime rates fell 9.4% with key changes in specific areas, including:
FAQs
What City in Texas Has the Highest Crime Rate?
The city in Texas that tends to always have the highest crime rate is Houston. Houston often sports a wide range of violent crimes and property crimes, as well as frequent car accidents.
Houston is a large metropolitan city with a significant population and a vibrant cultural center, so it should not be discounted because of its higher crime rate.
What Is the Safest City in Texas?
The safest city in Texas is widely thought to be the small, affluent suburb of Trophy Club, which is located right outside of Dallas. It has a crime rate significantly lower than the state average.
Other contenders for the title of the safest city in Texas include Melissa, League City, Keller, Highland Village, and Manvel. All of these areas have significantly lower crime rates, largely because their populations are much smaller than those of major cities.
Which State Has the Highest Crime Rate?
Texas is not the state with the highest crime rate. The state with the highest crime rate as of 2023 is New Mexico. New Mexico has the highest reported crime rate in the entire country, sporting over 6,400 crimes per 100,000 residents.
New Mexico has significant homicide and assault rates, as well as a significant problem with drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl that the DEA and local police are actively trying to stop.
What Is the Crime Rate in Texas in 2024?
According to certain sources, the current crime rate in Texas as of 2024 is 4.7 violent crimes per 1,000 Texas citizens, which is slightly above the national average for violent crimes.
Additionally, the state has recently seen 28.4 property crimes per 1,000 people, particularly with vehicle theft. While the overall crime rate in Texas appears to be dropping, certain crimes continue to impact urban areas.
Reach Out to a Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Dealing with ongoing high crime rates in your city can take up mental energy. If you are ever accused of or charged with a crime yourself, you shouldn’t hesitate to call a criminal defense lawyer to help you deal with the charges being made against you.
The legal team at Greco Neyland, PC, understands how terrifying and frustrating it can be to be charged with a crime, especially if you know you did not do it. We can help you build your case, gather evidence to support you, and make sure you are not taken advantage of by law enforcement or the prosecution. Contact us to speak with a valued team member about your case.
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