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Last Modified on May 08, 2026
Texas has a population of nearly 32 million residents (approximately 31.7 million as of 2025), approximately 268,000 square miles of land, and is easily one of the largest states in the U.S. Its size means the culture, environment, and safety levels can vary dramatically from city to city. A city’s crime rate is shaped by population density, economic conditions, and geography – so no single statistic tells the whole story.
As more people move to the Lone Star State, understanding crime rates across different cities becomes increasingly important. Here’s what you need to know, along with insights from a Houston criminal defense lawyer on how crime trends impact residents and visitors.
Texas Cities with the Highest Crime Rates
Based on the most recent data from the Texas Department of Public Safety and FBI, the Texas cities with some of the highest crime rates include:
- Houston
- Amarillo
- Bellmead
- Palmview
- Lubbock
- Beaumont
- Texarkana
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Livingston
Note: Rankings are based on violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents as reported to the Texas DPS and FBI. Ordering may vary depending on whether total crime volume or per-capita rate is the primary measure. Source: Texas DPS 2024 Crime in Texas Annual Report; FBI UCR 2024.
- Bellmead
Bellmead is a city located slightly northeast of Waco. According to recent data, Bellmead’s violent crime rate reached its lowest point in 2023 at 282 crimes per 100,000 people (approximately 2.8 per 1,000). The city also has elevated property crime rates, sitting at about 11.1 per 1,000 people (approximately 111 per 100,000). With a population under 11,000, Bellmead’s crime rates are much higher than other small cities of similar size. While it is a relatively quiet community, residents should exercise appropriate awareness of both property crime and personal safety.
- Houston
Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, with approximately 2.39 million residents. As with most major metros, higher population brings higher crime volume. According to the 2024 Texas DPS Annual Report, Houston had the highest overall crime rate among the state’s top 25 jurisdictions at 5,545.5 per 100,000 – a 1.1% increase from 2021 to 2024. Its violent crime rate sits at about 13 per 100,000 people, with a property crime rate of about 43 per 1,000. Houston is well-known for its unique culture and warmhearted environment despite its higher crime figures.
- Beaumont
Beaumont is a city in the southeastern part of the state, situated on the Neches River approximately 30 miles from the Gulf Coast. With a population of 112,000, the city has a violent crime rate of 12.5 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 33 per 1,000. Beaumont is consistently ranked among the top Texas cities for violent crimes per capita, which is why so many view it as less safe – particularly notable given it has almost 2 million fewer residents than Houston yet records similar per-capita rates.
- Lubbock
Lubbock – sometimes called the “Hub City” – is a city in northern Texas with a population of approximately 265,000. Known for its educational and healthcare institutions, Lubbock’s violent crime rate is around 11 per 1,000 and its property crime rate is about 42 per 1,000. The 2024 DPS report shows Lubbock’s overall crime rate fell 28.3% from 2021 to 2024, the largest reduction among the state’s top 25 jurisdictions.
Texas Cities with Lowest Crime Rates
According to SafeWise’s 2026 rankings, which use FBI crime data adjusted for population, the safest Texas cities as of 2026 include:
- Fulshear
- Trophy Club
- Hutto
- Colleyville
- Memorial Villages
- Fairview
- Elgin
- Highland Village
- Fate
- Sachse
Note: The 2025 list included Hutto, Fairview, Elgin, Highland Village, Fate, and Sachse in the top 10. These cities remain among the safer communities in Texas but were displaced in the 2026 rankings. Source: SafeWise 2026, based on FBI NIBRS data.
How Texas Crime Rates Compare to National Averages
Texas’s 2024 violent crime rate was 389 per 100,000 residents – ranking 17th highest among all states and approximately 8.4% above the national average of 359 per 100,000. Its property crime rate was 2,041 per 100,000, ranking 9th nationally and about 15.9% above the U.S. average (FBI/USAFacts, 2024). Those figures place Texas above the national midpoint, but well below states like New Mexico, Alaska, and Tennessee, which consistently rank at the top for crime rates.
Crime in Texas varies significantly by community type. Larger metros report higher crime volumes due to population density, while smaller cities can show disproportionately high per-capita rates. Nationally in 2023, the violent crime rate was 387.8 per 100,000 and the property crime rate was 2,015.2 per 100,000, per the Bureau of Justice Statistics and FBI NIBRS Estimation Program – both categories declined from 2022. Texas sits modestly above both national benchmarks, driven largely by its high-crime urban centers.
Geographic factors also shape Texas crime patterns. Despite common perception, FBI data consistently shows Texas border cities – including El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville – report violent crime rates well below the national average. Multi-year trends tell a clearer story than single-year figures: in Texas, overall crime fell 7.8% from 2023 to 2024, with murder down 14.8%, motor vehicle theft down 18.8%, and robbery down 7.4% (FBI/USAFacts, 2024).
A Closer Look at Texas’s Safest Cities
Cities such as Fulshear, Trophy Club, and Colleyville consistently rank below state crime averages. These communities share common traits: active community engagement, effective law enforcement, and demographics that correlate with lower criminal activity. Trophy Club, straddling Tarrant and Denton counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, maintains particularly low rates for both violent and property crime relative to its population.
Fulshear is a standout example – it grew 26.9% to 54,629 residents in 2024 per Census Bureau data, yet has maintained minimal property crime and near-zero violent crime. Smaller suburban cities near major metros frequently achieve lower crime rates while still offering residents access to employment, strong schools, and cultural amenities nearby. That combination makes them an increasingly popular choice for families relocating within Texas.
FAQs About Texas Crime Rates
Q: What Texas city has the highest violent crime rate?
A: Houston has the highest overall crime rate among major cities at 5,545.5 per 100,000 (Texas DPS 2024). On a per-capita basis, smaller cities like Bellmead may rank higher due to their small populations combined with elevated crime volumes.
Q: Is Texas a dangerous state to live in?
A: Not by national standards. Texas ranked 17th for violent crime in 2024 and both violent and property crime rates have declined year-over-year. Like any large state, safety varies widely by location.
Q: What is considered a property crime in Texas?
A: Texas law defines property crime as intentionally damaging or taking another person’s property. Common examples include burglary, shoplifting, and theft, along with breaking into vehicles and arson.
Q: What is considered a violent crime?
A: Violent crimes involve force or the direct threat of force against a person. Common examples include robbery, aggravated assault, manslaughter, murder, and kidnapping.
Q: What is the safest city to live in in Texas?
A: Based on 2026 SafeWise rankings using FBI data, Trophy Club holds the top spot. Other consistently safe communities include Parker, Memorial Villages, Fulshear, and Colleyville.
The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC: Your Texas Criminal Defense Attorney
At the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, our team has experience defending hundreds of clients across Texas and is dedicated to fighting for the best possible outcome in every case. We understand how crime statistics affect real communities and real people.
Whether you need legal advice or are facing criminal charges in Houston, our team is prepared to evaluate your situation and determine the best course of action. Contact us to learn more.
