CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Houston vs Dallas: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Houston has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 residents vs Dallas's 44.8 per 1,000, making Dallas 17% safer overall. Dallas earns a F safety grade compared to Houston's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

Houston

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate54/1K
Percentile2%
F

Dallas

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeD+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate44.8/1K
Percentile7%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricHoustonDallas
Overall Crime Rate54/1K44.8/1K
Violent Crime Rate900.0680.0
Property Crime Rate4500.03800.0
Murder Rate14.79.6
Assault Rate621.4535.6
Robbery Rate128.9103.8
Burglary Rate769.2504.3
Theft Rate3592.53024.2
Vehicle Theft Rate781.0916.4

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Houston is safer in 1 and Dallas is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Houston, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 22 in Dallas.

Full Safety Reports

F
Houston, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Dallas, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Houston vs Dallas

Houston Climate Overview

Annual High80°F
Annual Low60.1°F
Annual Rain47.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Dallas Climate Overview

Annual High77.5°F
Annual Low56.9°F
Annual Rain37.9"
Annual Snow1.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthOctober
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

HoustonDallasHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Dallas is 6°F colder in winter than Houston. Dallas gets 2 inches of snow annually, while Houston rarely sees any. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 38".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston safer than Dallas?
As of 2026, Dallas is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 44.8 per 1,000 residents compared to Houston's 54. Dallas earns a F safety grade vs Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Houston or Dallas?
Houston has more violent crime at 900 per 100,000 residents. Dallas is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Houston vs Dallas?
Houston has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 900/100K, property: 4500/100K). Dallas has 44.8 per 1,000 (violent: 680/100K, property: 3800/100K).
Should I move to Houston or Dallas?
From a safety perspective, Dallas has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Houston (pop. 2,397,315) and Dallas (pop. 1,329,491) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Dallas's F safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Houston and Dallas compare for property crime?
Dallas has lower property crime at 3800 per 100K vs Houston's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Houston vs AustinHouston vs San AntonioHouston vs ChicagoDallas vs AustinDallas vs San AntonioDallas vs Fort Worth

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities