Safest Places to Live in Texas

Factors Determining Safety in The Lone Star State

The main factors determining whether a Texas city will have a low crime rate are the rate of violent crimes and community factors such as community engagement, socioeconomic factors, and education levels. 

Certain risk factors indicate a city is more likely to have high property crime rates, too. In this section, we will look into the data for Texas as a whole and provide insights into how each of these factors affects the likelihood of criminal behavior. 

Violent Crimes

Rates of violent crime, such as murder and assault, as well as crime against property, such as theft, are key statistics we can use to measure the safety of an area. 

Over the last few years, crime in Texas has decreased in terms of both crimes against people and property. [1] Between 2022 and 2023, the statistics on violent crimes show crime rates (the number of crimes per 100,000 persons) fell by 7.2%. For specific crimes, the stats look like this:

• An 8.1% decrease in aggravated assault
• A 2.9% decrease in robbery 
• A 6.7% decrease in rape and sexual assault with an object
• A 12.5% decrease in murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
• An 18.9% decrease in human trafficking for commercial sex acts
• A 13.2% decrease in human trafficking for involuntary servitude 

Property crime in Texas fell by 3.3% during the same period. Here is how the property crime rate changed for common offenses:

• A decrease of 7.1% for larceny (theft)
• A 22.8% increase in motor vehicle theft
• A reduction of 10.2% for burglary or breaking and entering
• A 13.9% drop in arson rates 

Community Factors

Community factors, such as socioeconomic factors, education levels, and community involvement, affect crime rates and the overall safety of any Texas neighborhood.

For example, one study in Houston found a significant connection between unemployment and violent crimes, and poverty, population density, and academic achievement on property crime level. And while lower incomes increase the likelihood of violent crime, income inequality plays a significant role in property crimes. [2]

Higher education levels are also linked to safer neighborhoods. The likelihood that a person will commit a crime decreases by 11 to 12% with each additional year of schooling. This indicates the safest cities in Texas, and those with the lowest property crime level, also have a higher education level.[3] 

Community involvement also improves safety and overall well-being in a Texas neighborhood. [4] This includes neighborhood watch programs and citizen involvement in crime prevention, such as reporting crimes. The most effective programs are those that simultaneously address mental health, education, and job training. The safest cities in Texas understand this correlation.

Safest Places in Texas

As expected, major Texas cities, such as the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, League City, and El Paso, have higher rates of crime compared to their suburbs and smaller cities. Rural areas have the lowest crime rates compared to the rest of the state.

Here are the safest cities in Texas, their crime rates, and community highlights.

Fulshear

Fulshear, a small town near Houston, is among the safest cities in Texas. It has a total crime rate of 3.39 per 1,000 residents, 0.23 for violent crimes, and 3.15 for property crimes. You can feel secure in this city as the violent crime rate is exceptionally low, and the former farming community has been growing quickly — it has almost doubled since the last census. [5] 

Despite its growth, this town remained a family-friendly environment. It has many parks, excellent schools, and a 3% unemployment rate.

Its safety stands out even more when you compare it to the state average. Your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Texas overall are 1 in 232. In Fulshear, it’s 1 in 4,283. [6]

The police have a Vacation Watch program, where an officer will check your property for up to two weeks. Watch programs like this help make it one of the safest cities in Texas. [7]

Hutto

Hutto is appealing due to its rich history, top-rated schools, [9] low cost of living, and plentiful recreational facilities, such as parks, trails, and athletic leagues. Its poverty and income levels are lower than the state and national averages. 

In recent years, Hutto’s been competing with Fulshear for the title of the safest city in Texas. It has some of the lowest crime rates in the state, with a total crime rate 68% lower compared to national averages. 

Its safest neighborhoods are Morningside Estates and Riverwalk, and its total crime rate is 752 per 100,000 residents, compared to 2,732 in Texas and 2,324 in the U.S. overall. [8]

In 2023, the Hutto Police Department also established a Victim Assistance Unit to help victims, survivors, and their families deal with emotional and physical trauma. Prevention programs in this Texas area help reduce the long-term impact of being a violent crime victim.

Colleyville

Colleyville is one of the safest cities in Texas, with a crime rate 79% lower than in the U.S. overall, with violent crime being 84% less common. This makes it one of the safest cities to raise a family.

With excellent schools, playgrounds, beautiful parks, and nature trails, it gives you that small-town feel without sacrificing the economic side. Its unemployment rate is 37% lower than in the rest of the country, while its household income exceeds the national average by 210%.

Also, 96% of people own their homes, whose value of $567,600 is 207% higher than average. 97% of people are high-school graduates, 25% more than in the state as a whole. [9] 

The Colleyville Police Department participates in programs such as the Residential Lockbox Program, Vacation Watch, and Prescription Drug Disposal Program. The city also offers community-building groups and activities, such as gardening and public library organizations.

Trophy Club 

Trophy Club is a suburb located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and it’s home to more affluent Texas residents. Its total crime rate is 616 per 100,000 people, or 73% lower than the national average. Violent crime is 88% lower, and there are enough hospitals, pharmacies, and fire departments.

It is also close to excellent shopping centers, golf clubs, and good schools, while its unemployment rate is lower than average at 3%. The Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is also just an hour’s drive away. You can enjoy all the fun of downtown Dallas without violent crime or property crimes. [10]

It participates in programs such as Citizens on Patrol, Neighborhood Watch, Trophy Club Emergency Volunteer Association, Home Vacation Watch Program, and National Night Out. A high level of community involvement helps make this area one of the safest neighborhoods.[11]

San Elizario

San Elizario is a small city in the Western part of Texas, with just over 9,000 residents. It is located on the border with Mexico, next to the Rio Grande River. San Elizario provides a tight-knit community based on family values, with a long history evident in its architecture and several fine art galleries. In 2023, USA Today pronounced it the best Historic Small Town in the US. [12]

It has consistently ranked among the safest cities in Texas, with low rates of violent and property crime. For comparison, San Elizario has 337 incidents reported per 100,000 residents, with only 40 violent crimes per 100,000, ten times fewer compared to Texas overall. 

The education rates in this town are lower than average, with only 41% of people having a high school diploma. [13] On the other hand, the unemployment rate is only 2%, with most of the town working in tourism, manufacturing, and construction. This can contribute to a decrease in property crimes.

Resources for Safety Evaluation

Safe cities in Texas consistently have not just the lowest crime rate but also solid employment figures, excellent schools, opportunities for physical activity, spending time in nature, and cultural events. They have wonderful public transportation systems. Here are some tools you can use to find the safest city to raise a family. 

Online Property Crime Mapping Tools

You can find cities with a low crime rate by using the following online tools:

• CrimeMapping – Crime Mapping gives you detailed maps of crimes near an agency such as Fort Worth Police. It includes various incidents, from shoplifting to burglary and theft.
• SpotCrime – This tool lets you do a similar thing by providing an address or neighborhood you’re interested in. It lists dates and basic info about recent crimes.
• NeighborhoodScout – This tool gives you a detailed overview of a Texas neighborhood, including crime rates, property values, demographics, economic data, and information about schools.

These tools let you see data in detail, helping you explore cities and compare the safest neighborhoods within them. 

Local Police Department Websites

If you’re curious about community programs, local crime statistics, and ways to stay safe in an area, check the city’s local police department website. You can sometimes also find resources on the desired city’s official website. 

Texas Department of Public Safety

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) provides reports that you can customize to get the info you want. The Uniform Crime Reporting System lets you view crimes by jurisdiction, agency, and year, giving you easy access to local and state-wide statistics. 

You can generate and download these reports as .xls tables and see the data in detail, including the type of crime, the number of incidents reported in each station, and the crime rate per county.

Other Safety Considerations

Many Texas cities are safe from crime, but natural disasters, road safety, and the availability of resources remain significant risks to resident safety. 

Natural Disaster Risk

Different areas of Texas are prone to disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Before moving to or visiting an area, determine its risk of natural disasters:

• Floods – Use this tool to determine the risk to your property. One in six Texans live in a flood-prone arena, with risks increasing each year. [14]
• Tornadoes – Counties like Harris and Hale have an exceptionally high risk of tornadoes, with other counties also affected. Consider tornado risks when purchasing a property. 
• Hurricanes – Houston, Galveston, and other cities along the Gulf Coast are particularly prone to hurricanes, another danger you should be aware of. 

Road Safety

Even the safest cities in the Lone Star State stop being safe once you consider road accidents. According to 2023 statistics, one person was killed every two hours and three minutes on Texas roads, with over 4,283 fatalities that year. 

Larger cities tend to have especially high road injury rates, with intersections being particularly dangerous. However, 52.84% of the state’s traffic fatalities happened in rural areas. [15]

Community Resources

Another safety aspect to consider is the availability of hospitals, fire departments, and emergency services in a given area. Tools like AreaVibes list pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors in each city. 

While smaller cities generally have lower crime rates, they are less likely to be close to hospitals, or they may have a limited number of pharmacies. This can force their residents to seek out help in bigger cities. 

How We Can Help You Relocate to a Safer Texas City

If you’re considering moving to one of the safest places in Texas, cash home buyers can simplify the process. Selling your home through traditional methods can take time and involve repairs, showings, and negotiations. 

Cash home buyers offer a quick, hassle-free alternative, allowing you to sell your property as-is and move on your timeline. Whether you’re upgrading to a family-friendly community like Fulshear or seeking the tranquility of a small town like Trophy Club, A-List Properties can make relocating seamless and stress-free.

Contact us at (972) 526-7042 for a free quot, or fill out our contact form.References: [1] Texas Department of Public Safety; [2] Science Direct; [3] CESifo DICE Report; [4] Kash Journal of Multidisciplinary Research; [5] World Population Review; [6]Neighborhood Scout; [7] Fulshear Texas Police Department; [8] AreaVibes; [9] AreaVibes; [10] AreaVibes; [11] Trophy Club [12] USA Today; [13] AreaVibes; [14] Texas Tribune; [15] Texas Department of Transportation