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Houston vs Phoenix: 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 Phoenix's 37.5 per 1,000, making Phoenix 31% safer overall. Phoenix earns a D 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%
D

Phoenix

Arizona

Overall GradeD
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeD
Crime Rate37.5/1K
Percentile17%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricHoustonPhoenix
Overall Crime Rate54/1K37.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate900.0550.0
Property Crime Rate4500.03200.0
Murder Rate14.78.0
Assault Rate621.4436.3
Robbery Rate128.9120.2
Burglary Rate769.2411.7
Theft Rate3592.52759.4
Vehicle Theft Rate781.0680.5

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 0 and Phoenix is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Houston, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 27 in Phoenix.

Full Safety Reports

F
Houston, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
D
Phoenix, Arizona Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Houston vs Phoenix

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

Phoenix Climate Overview

Annual High86.8°F
Annual Low62.4°F
Annual Rain7.3"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJuly
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

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

Phoenix is 11°F warmer in summer than Houston, but winter temperatures are comparable. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 7".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston safer than Phoenix?
As of 2026, Phoenix is 31% safer overall, with a crime rate of 37.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Houston's 54. Phoenix earns a D safety grade vs Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Houston or Phoenix?
Houston has more violent crime at 900 per 100,000 residents. Phoenix is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Houston vs Phoenix?
Houston has a crime rate of 54 per 1,000 (violent: 900/100K, property: 4500/100K). Phoenix has 37.5 per 1,000 (violent: 550/100K, property: 3200/100K).
Should I move to Houston or Phoenix?
From a safety perspective, Phoenix has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Houston (pop. 2,397,315) and Phoenix (pop. 1,665,481) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Phoenix's D safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Houston and Phoenix compare for property crime?
Phoenix has lower property crime at 3200 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 DallasHouston vs AustinHouston vs San AntonioPhoenix vs Los AngelesPhoenix vs Las VegasPhoenix vs Tucson

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.

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