Houston is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, boasting a low cost of living, numerous job opportunities, and a rich cultural atmosphere. In 2024, Houston’s population growth rate ranked first in the country. The continuous growth of the population has also made people begin to care about the safety of the community. There are many safest neighborhoods in Houston for people to choose from. Here is our detailed introduction to this topic:
How Safe is Houston?
Houston has many communities, each with its characteristics, attracting different types of residents to live there. If you consider safety as the top priority when looking for a suitable community, then next, we will provide you with a detailed introduction to how safe the Houston is:
CrimeGrade indicates that the Houston crime rate exceeds the average for American cities, making it safer than only 20% of American cities. But don’t worry. Just like in other cities, your chances of becoming a crime victim are closely related to the environment of your neighborhoods in Houston, ranging from 1/17 in the central community to 1/33 in the northwest community. In terms of the total number of crimes, the central part of Houston has the highest number of criminal cases, with approximately 47,368 cases each year, while the southern part has the fewest, with about 17,702 cases each year. Therefore, all in all, Houston can become a livable, safe city.
The Safest Neighborhoods in Houston
There are many safest neighborhoods in Houston for you to stay. They have a low crime rate, complete facilities and excellent locations, which can meet the living needs of different types of residents.
1. Kingwood
- Crime rate: 41% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,375
- Feature: Family-friendly and has rich green environment
Kingwood is one of Houston safest neighborhoods with the lowest crime rate. You can study and work here with peace of mind. It is located in the northeastern part of the city, about a 30-minute drive from the city center. It also close to the international airport, with very convenient transportation. Niche once rated it as one of the top ten best communities in Houston for raising a family. Here are schools with strong teaching staff, providing students with a good education and also making parents very at ease. Kingwood was once hailed as the “Livable Forest” and is an ideal community for those who love outdoor sports. It is adjacent to Lake Houston, offering you beautiful views while allowing you to go boating, swimming, or having a picnic on the water at any time. Not only that, the Clubs of Kingwood, Lake Houston Wilderness Park, Foster Mill Village Pool, and Heron’s Rest are all great entertainment venues suitable for residents of all ages.
2. West University Place, TX
- Crime rate: 50% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $2,225
- Feature: A strong sense of community and having an excellent university
West University Place is one of the safest Houston neighborhoods with only 64 criminal incidents per 100,000 residents. It is also the wealthiest community, featuring a variety of exquisite residences. The streets are clean, the houses are well-maintained. Moreover, It enjoys a superior location, close to I-69 and I-610, with convenient transportation. It only takes you 15 minutes to reach the city center. West University Place belongs to the Houston Independent School District and has many high-quality schools with abundant educational resources. Rice University and the world’s largest Texas Medical Center are just a few steps away. Colonial Park, Judson Park, and Whitt Johnson Park are outstanding green parks within the community, allowing you to exercise and enjoy outdoor time at any time. Here, various activities are also frequently held to enhance the connection among residents and the cohesion of the community.
3. Bellaire
- Crime rate: 30% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,900
- Feature: "City of homes" features student safety programs and neighborhood watch intiatives
Bellaire is the safest neighborhood in Houston, TX, providing every resident with a sufficient sense of security. It is in the southwest and is known as the “City of Homes”, with a relatively low crime rate. It is located along I-610, just 8 miles from downtown. It takes only 10 minutes by car to reach The Uptown high-end business district (with The Galleria shopping center, which is the seventh largest shopping center in the United States). If you want to go to the airport and the seaside, it only takes 40 to 60 minutes by car. Here, there are 14 parks, a water sports center, a nature exploration center and a library, etc., allowing you to fully relax your body and mind. The annual Pumpkin Path Fall Festival and various religious activities here will also enrich the cultural life of residents and enhance the cohesion of the community.
4. Midtown
- Crime rate: 60% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,725
- Feature: Located in the city center, it has a lively atmosphere and is surprisingly safe
Midtown is one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston. It is situated in the central area of the city, located between the city center and the museum district, with excellent transportation. You can easily reach the two major employment centres in Houston – the downtown area and the medical centre, making commuting convenient. The community is well-equipped and has a lively atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy urban life fully. Here, there is a vibrant nightlife and bustling streets. Popular bars, live music performances, and rooftop lounges are all great places for relaxation. There are also various gourmet restaurants here. For example, The Breakfast Klub and Himalaya Restaurant are both good choices. Not only that, there are also many galleries, theaters, and modern apartment centers here, making it one of the most fashionable areas in Houston.
5. North Spring Branch
- Crime rate: 90% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $2,069
- Feature: Diversified and affordable, with a wide range of housing options
The North Spring Branch is one of Houston safest neighborhoods. It has a good record of public security, thanks to community policing and the high participation of people. The educational resources are of high quality, including many highly-rated public and private schools, such as those in the Spring Branch Independent School District. The natural environment is superior, close to green Spaces such as Mercer Botanic Gardens, providing a rich variety of outdoor activities. The commercial facilities are complete. The shopping center, The Woodlands Mall, is nearby, making life convenient. In addition, the transportation is convenient, close to Highway 45 and Highway 99, making commuting easy. These factors together make it a safe and livable community.
6. Sugar Land, TX
- Crime rate: 18% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,625
- Feature: The economy is strong and the teaching level is outstanding
Sugar Land is one of the safest Houston neighborhoods for you. It was once rated as one of the safest medium-sized cities in the United States. The city has top public schools (such as Clements High School, which has a 9/10 rating in GreatSchools), abundant parks and recreational facilities (such as Sugar Land Memorial Park). And high-standard medical resources (including Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital). The abundant resources make this place very suitable for families to live. The business here is prosperous. It has the First Colony Mall and numerous high-end communities. The median household income exceeds $120,000. There is sufficient investment in security, and the community planning is perfect, combining safety and convenience.
7. The Woodlands
- Crime rate: 54% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,675
- Feature: The crime rate is low and law enforcement is strict
The Woodlands is one of the safest neighborhood in Houston, TX, with a crime rate far below the national average. Not only is the security here strict, but it is also very suitable for families to live in. Niche once rated it as “the best city in the United States to support a family”. It’s home to a first-rate public school system and offers an abundance of outdoor amenities. You’ll have access to 3,000 acres of green space, 60 miles of tree-lined trails, and playgrounds for kids. Its proximity to Highway 45 means you can easily get to where you need to go. This community is well-planned, offering high convenience in daily life. In addition, The Woodlands is clean and tidy with fresh air, and is known as the “city in the Forest”.
8. Memorial
- Crime rate: 53% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $2,056
- Feature: Economically prosperous, with first-class schools and shopping centers
Memorial Community is one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston, with an extremely low crime rate and a high-quality living environment. This community blends suburban and urban atmospheres and is a large one. It has top public schools with an A+ rating, such as Memorial High School, which can reassure parents to bring their children here to live. Not only that, the community is shaded by green trees and close to large green Spaces such as Memorial Park. You can obtain abundant outdoor leisure Spaces. The commercial facilities are also very complete. You can go to Memorial City Mall and high-end shopping centers to meet your daily life needs. In addition, Memorial is conveniently located, close to Highways I-10 and 610, allowing you to reach your destination easily at any time. Memorial is a safe and livable ideal place to live.
9. Friendswood
- Crime rate: 74% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,323
- Feature: Have a strong sense of community and a peaceful living environment
Friendswood is renowned for its extremely low crime rate and is one of the Houston safest neighborhoods. Movoto once ranked it as the third “safest city in Texas”. Data shows that its violent crime rate is only 41 cases per 100,000 people, far below the average level of Texas. The city has high-quality school districts with an A-level rating (Friendswood ISD score of 92/100), ranking among the top three in the Houston area. The intense academic atmosphere is very suitable for family living. The community is very close to the main road and the city center, but it has a rural atmosphere and is quiet and leisurely. Not only that, the cost of living in the community is reasonable, and it was ranked 33rd in the United States as “the best suburb to support a family” by GoBankingRates. Residents can conveniently reach Galveston Beach (a 30-minute drive) and enjoy a livable environment with well-planned public facilities and green Spaces.
10. Pasadena
- Crime rate: 39% less than Houston overall
- Average rent monthly: $1,100
- Feature: Economical and convenient
Pasadena is one of the safest Houston neighborhoods, featuring excellent community planning and an efficient policing system to ensure safety at all times. It combines the quiet living atmosphere and the convenience of a busy area. Pasadena is well equipped with several parks and leisure centres, which are suitable for family life. In addition, it is near the Port of Houston and the Johnson Space Centre, which offers a large number of job opportunities. It is close to the downtown area of Houston, and transportation is convenient. The cost of living is relatively reasonable, making it a cost-effective choice for residence.
How to Enhance Houston Neighborhood Safety?
To enhance community security, we recommend focusing on community participation, upgrading community hardware facilities, and selecting an effective crime prevention strategy to reduce the crime rate in this area. The following are the specific classifications:
Community participation
- Neighborhood Watch Program: You can participate in or organise the community to carry out the Neighborhood Watch program. This plan needs to be combined with local law enforcement departments to cultivate community awareness and vigilance.
- Community activities: You can organise gatherings in the community to establish deep connections with your neighbors, maintain friendly social relationships, and thus better understand the surrounding environment.
- Social media and communication: You can also use online platforms to share the information you have observed, thereby promoting communication with your neighbors.
Improve community facilities
- Street lighting: It is necessary to ensure that all public places in the community have sufficient lighting, especially at night, when the surrounding environment can be seen.
- CPTED: Communities can enhance their security through measures like beautifying the landscape, designing buildings, and optimising surveillance systems.
- Traffic calming: Speed bumps and other deceleration devices can be installed in the community to enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
Personal action
- Home security: For individuals, installing facilities like door locks, alarms, and security cameras in your home is essential to protect your house’s safety.
- Get to know your neighbors: Introduce yourself and exchange contact information to learn about the residents in the community.
- Report suspicious activities: If you discover any suspicious behaviour or potential crime, you need to report it to the police or the neighborhood supervision department promptly.
- Personal safety: Educate your children to prioritise their safety, avoid walking alone at night, and remain aware of their surroundings.
- Participate in community activities: Attend community meetings and events promptly to stay informed about the latest developments.
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FAQ
What part of Houston to stay away from?
Sunnyside, Sharpstown, and parts of the Fifth Ward are all dangerous areas in Houston. The crime rate in these areas is relatively high, especially violent crimes and gang activities.
What is the nicest part of Houston to live in?
The Heights, River Oaks, and West University Place are the most livable places in Houston. This place is suitable for walking, with a strong historical charm and a vibrant dining environment. According to reports, these communities are all very ideal for people to live in.
What is the #1 safest city in Texas?
The city of Fulshear is often hailed as one of the safest cities in Texas. This place is located in the suburbs of Houston, with a low crime rate and a family-friendly atmosphere.
