Houston dangerous city? The worst and best neighborhoods

You are planning a trip to Texas and you wonder if Houston is a dangerous city. You want to learn about the worst and best neighborhoods in Houston. It is true that nowadays, it is better to take the time to document yourself in advance before choosing the neighborhood where you will stay in Houston.

Indeed, Houston is an attractive city for its history, its heritage, its identity and its dynamism but it is also a violent city in places.

To help you select one of the best neighborhoods to stay, here is the 2024 guide with the map of Houston neighborhoods.

This article was written thanks to serious information from various media (local press, rankings, statistics). It is actually a summary of web data that does not involve any discrimination or judgment.

Is Houston a safe city?

NO: Houston as Chicago, Sound ou Atlanta is not a safe city even if it is not one of the 10 most dangerous cities in the United States (see rankings on worldpopulationreview ou Statistics).

In fact, Houston is an important hub for drug trafficking due to its proximity to major exporting countries and the presence of well-organized networks. Crime in Houston is also driven by gang warfare and human trafficking.

In addition, Houston's crime rate has increased significantly over the past three years. But what about today at the end of 2024?

Houston dangerous city in 2024?

Yes, in 2024 Houston remains a dangerous city according to the Numbeo ranking of the most crime-ridden cities in the United States. Indeed, Houston is in 9th position among the most dangerous American cities. With a crime index over 63, Houston is more criminal than San Francisco, Las Vegas, Orlando ou Los Angeles.

To check it out for yourself, you can study the official numbers on the official Houston Police website. Houston Police Department.

And at world level, Houston is also at the top of the table of the most dangerous cities in 2024. However, it is still ranked less criminal than Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro ou Lima.

Is Houston safe to visit?

Yes, just as much as other American cities: By remaining cautious and avoiding certain neighborhoods (see list below), tourists can visit Houston without any problem.

Indeed, tourist sites are not dangerous for visitors. But, as in all big cities, in very busy places, tourists can be victims of petty crimes (pickpockets, scams, theft of jewelry, telephone, etc.).

This is what we recommend France Diplomacy For travelers to Houston: “Be careful when traveling in certain neighborhoods at night (Downtown, south and east parts of Houston)”

Houston Neighborhoods

The city of Houston has 11 districts officially classified from A to K. And each district includes many neighborhoods, the main ones of which are listed on a list of 88 major neighborhoods. See the full list on Wikipedia: List of neighborhoods in Houston

To find your way around, you should know that the city of Houston is divided into 4 large "bayous" (expanse of water formed by the old arms of the Mississippi):

• Bayou Buffalo which runs through central Houston;
• Bayou Brays which borders the Texas Medical Center;
• The White Oak which crosses the Heights district northeast of the city center;
• The bayou Sims which crosses the city center and the south of Houston to go to throw itself in the channel.

The center of Houston is surrounded by a highway: Interstate 610 also called “The Loop”. It is often in relation to this highway that we locate ourselves. For example, administrative and cultural institutions are located inside the loop while major residential areas are located outside the loop.

To better identify the best areas and dangerous neighborhoods in Houston, here is the map of the city's main neighborhoods: Google Map

The 5 most dangerous areas in Houston

Here, for 2024, are the 5 most dangerous areas of Houston in the city:

• Sunnyside
• MacGregor
• Sharpstown
• Greenpoint
• Far North

These are the areas that have the highest per capita rates of violent crime and property crime.

Find out where these 5 most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston are located below:

Sunnyside ghetto south of Houston

Sunnyside, located in southeast Houston, has been marked by an increase in violence and crime in recent years. It is a neighborhood that experiences significant security challenges. Residents have unfortunately witnessed an increase in criminal acts, which has created a tense atmosphere in the community.

It is important to understand that Sunnyside is a neighborhood in transition, with ongoing efforts to improve safety and quality of life for residents. However, there is still much work to be done to address crime issues in this community.

See location of this neighborhood

MacGregor dangerous neighborhood south of Houston

MacGregor, once a thriving historic district, also faces increasing crime problems. Although the neighborhood has a rich history and notable architecture, it has unfortunately become associated with high crime rates.

See location of this neighborhood

Sharpstown west of Houston

Sharpstown, a residential and commercial district, is unfortunately not spared from acts of violence. Crime statistics in this neighborhood are concerning, with high rates of thefts, assaults and burglaries reported.

See location of this neighborhood

Greenspoint neighborhood to avoid in North Houston

Greenspoint, located north of the city, is infamous for its high crime rates, making it a dangerous place for residents and visitors.

See location of this neighborhood

Far North changing neighborhood

Far North, a less developed area of ​​Houston, is also infamous for violent crime.

It is important to note that Far North is a developing neighborhood and efforts are underway to improve the safety and quality of life of its residents. Urban planning and economic development projects are underway to revitalize the region and create a safer environment.

Other neighborhoods to avoid in Houston

According to the latest statistics and web rankings, here are the other neighborhoods to avoid in Houston for their level of insecurity also above the national average:

• Northeast
• Medical
• Southeast
• North Houston
• Northwest
• Medical
• westchase
• bellaire

Red-light districts to avoid in Houston

And to finish the list of neighborhoods to avoid, we must not forget the red light districts of Houston:

• The Bissonnet Track
• Fourth Ward
• Happy Hollow

Indeed, no one wants to choose their hotel in a poorly frequented and unsavory street even if it is not necessarily dangerous!

Neighborhoods to stay in Houston

Apart from these neighborhoods to avoid in Houston, there are a large number of safe and very pleasant neighborhoods to live in. Among the best neighborhoods most rated by real estate agencies, we have:

• Clear Lake City (Bay area)
• Midtown
• westchase
• University Place
• Museum District
• Great Uptown
• Neartown–Montrose
• Eldridge–West Oaks
• Greater Heights

Best area to stay in Houston for sightseeing

To visit Houston or to spend a weekend there, here are the favorite neighborhoods of tourists:

• Best area to visit the city: Downtown Houston
• Best neighborhood to party in Houston: Midtown
• Best neighborhood for families: NASA's Johnson Space Center
• Best neighborhood for a posh stay: Galleria and Uptown

Where to stay to visit Houston?

Downtown is the best location to visit the city of Houston. But in downtown Houston, some areas are less safe than others.

Here is the safest neighborhood I recommend in downtown Houston:

East Downtown Houston or EaDo ideal for tourists

EaDo is a small district of the center which adjoins downtown houston.

This area is central, close to tourist attractions (Graffiti park, Giant Beatles Statues, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Zoo, Museum of Natural Science, historic East End) and convenient to public transportation (to get to the Space Center Houston).

It is also a trendy and lively district with many shops, bars and restaurants.

Which hotel in East Downtown Houston?

There is a large and fairly diverse hotel offering in the East Downtown district of Houston.

If you have the budget, I recommend the best hotel with the most beautiful location for a tourist stay: Four Seasons Hotel

And for those who want a cheaper hotel, here is a good establishment well located in the center of Houston:

What to see in Houston?

Here's a safe and convenient way to visit Houston's iconic places: