What Are The Bad Neighborhoods In Houston?

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

Houston is the largest city in Texas, and its reputation for crime lives up to its massive size. It is a cultural staple of Texas, the south, and the United States, but it’s also quite dangerous. If you find yourself in Houston you may wonder; what are the most dangerous neighborhoods?

The bad neighborhoods of Houston include:

  • Far North
  • Northeast
  • Southeast
  • North Houston
  • Northwest
  • Medical
  • Westchase East End Sugarland
  • Bellaire

It’s best to steer clear of these areas if possible when traveling through Houston. If you can’t, always be aware of your surroundings and never travel alone, or accept rides from strangers.

Houston may not be one of the cheapest places to live in Texas, but it is certainly one of the most dangerous. It is an expensive city to live in, but the biggest expense in Houston is the threat of danger. Follow along as we explore the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston.

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Are There Bad Neighborhoods In Houston?

Houston is the largest city in Texas, and it proves that everything is bigger in Texas with its crime rates. There are a shocking 206 crimes per square mile in Houston, compared to 28 crimes per square mile in Texas.

Of the 129,134 recent crimes, 73,165 were thefts, and 17,260 were burglaries which are the leading property crimes.

Property Crime

Property crime is so commonplace in Houston that 1 in 22 residents will experience theft, vehicle theft, and burglary.

There have been 103,611 recent property crimes in Houston, but the 25,523 recent violent crimes are truly terrifying. Violent crimes occur for 1 in 91 Houston residents, and assault is the most common with 14,731 recent reports.

Violent Crimes

There have also been 275 murders in Houston recently, and 9,200 robberies in this southern city. Houston is a beautiful and unique city, but the intense and prominent crime makes it difficult to live there safely.

If you find yourself in Houston, stick to neighborhoods like Meyerland where you can find a semblance of safety.

1. Far North

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 2,104
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 5,913
  • Population: 59,742

The worst neighborhood in Houston is Far North, and it boasts high violent and property crime rates. Crime is 185% more common in Far North than in the rest of Texas making it a terrible place to live. Violence is such a part of life in the Far North that it’s 455% above the national average in the United States.

Much of the crime in Far North can be tied back to the widespread poverty in this neighborhood and Houston as a whole.

Single residents earn a median income of $12,287 per year, and that’s simply not enough to get by in Houston. Rent may be 20% cheaper than the national average in Far North, but it’s not worth the risk of burglary, robbery, assault, and worse.

2. Northeast

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,781
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,806
  • Population: 129,659

With a crime rate 66% worse than the rest of Houston, it’s safe to call Northeast the second-worst neighborhood in the city. Sadly, 1 in 57 residents of Northeast Houston suffers a violent crime, such as assault, robbery, and murder. Property crime is more rampant, however, and it affects 1 in 20 Northeast residents.

The climbing crime rate in Northeast Houston coincides with a 7% increase in crime throughout Houston.

Northeast residents own low median single and household incomes, and many residents seemingly turn to crime. Between violent crime and property crime, you risk a 1 in 16 chance of experiencing a crime in Northeast Houston.

3. Southeast

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,530
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,397
  • Population: 261,657

Crime is 138% more rampant in Southeast Houston than the national average, and there’s a mix of violent and property crimes.

For 1 in 66 Southeast residents, violent crime is a sad part of life and it affects many. The most common violent crime in Southeast Houston is assault and aggravated assault, but robberies also occur regularly.

Theft is one of the most common crimes in Southeast Houston, and 1 in 23 residents will suffer a property crime of some sort.

Property crime includes vehicle theft, burglary, and theft, and each of these crimes is all too familiar to Southeast residents. Even still, violence may be the biggest threat in Southeast Houston as it is 303% more likely to occur than in the rest of the United States.

4. North Houston

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,602
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,728
  • Population: 119,685

North Houston is amongst the worst neighborhoods in Houston, and crime is 154% above the national average.

Even scarier is that violence is 322% more common in Houston than the rest of America, and it affects 1 in 63 residents. Crime affects 1 in 16 North Houston residents, and the vast majority of crime in this neighborhood is property-related.

Property crime, such as burglary and theft, afflicts 1 in 22 North Houston residents, and theft is the most common. Income is 38% below the Texas average in North Huston, and that has a lot to do with the swell of criminal activity.

The cost of living is nearly 15% below the national average in North Houston, but it comes at the price of high crime.

5. Northwest

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,380
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,546
  • Population: 138,832

Northwest is among the largest neighborhoods in Houston, but its high property and violent crime rates make it one of the most dangerous.

In Northwest, 1 in 17 residents faces the threat of suffering a violent or property-related crime. Property crime makes up the lion’s share of crime reports, and it affects 1 in 22 residents.

Burglary, theft, and assault are the most common crimes in Northwest, and they all occur regularly. Violent crimes are inflicted on 1 in 73 Northwest residents, and that includes murder, rape, assault, and robbery.

Unemployment is 11% higher than the national average in the Northwest neighborhood, and that contributes to the shocking frequency of crime.

6. Medical

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,397
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 6,990
  • Population: 44,356

This relatively small Houston neighborhood is quite dangerous, and it’s someplace you want to travel alone at night. Both property and violent crimes are close to 300% more common in Medical than in the rest of the United States.

Your biggest threat in the Medical neighborhood is property crime, and 1 in 15 unlucky residents suffer theft, burglary, or vehicle theft.

Crime affects 1 in 12 Medical residents, and while most of it is property-related, violence is commonplace as well.

Medical residents face a 1 in 72 chance that they’ll suffer a violent crime, and assault is the most common. There are beauty and culture to be found in Medical, but it is sadly accompanied by severe and chronic crime.

7. Westchase

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,144
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,819
  • Population: 71,050

Westchase is a unique neighborhood with a lot of character, but it has a dark side that cannot be overlooked.

If you live in Westchase, there’s a 1 in 17 chance that you will personally experience a crime of some sort. Property crime is terrible, but you are lucky if that is the only crime that befalls you in this Houston neighborhood.

There is a 1 in 21 chance that you’ll experience a burglary, theft, and vehicle theft as a Westchase resident. While no crime is good, property crime would be preferable to the 1 in 88 chance of suffering violence in Westchase.

Between the high rate of poverty, extreme violent crime, and rampant property crime, Westchase is not a great place to live.

8. East End

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,158
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 4,963
  • Population: 87,359

You can find some beautiful murals, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife in East End. Unfortunately for East End Houston residents, you can also find a major risk of danger.

Crime is 146% higher in East End than the national average in America, and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon.

The overwhelming majority of crime reports in East End come from theft and burglary, meaning you’re not even safe at home.

Theft, burglary, and vehicle theft affect 1 in 21 residents of East End Houston. Violence is another staple in East End, and unfortunately, 1 in 87 residents experience assault, robbery, rape, or murder.

9. Sugar Land

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,052
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 3,367
  • Population: 125,992

With a name like Sugar Land, you may picture a calm, quiet, and even sweet neighborhood in Houston. Sadly, that is not the case, and Sugar Land boasts a crime rate that is 78% higher than the national average. For 1 in 23 Sugar Land residents, their life will be interrupted by either a violent or property crime.

The most common form of crime in Sugar Land is theft, and it affects 1 in 30 residents. Property crime is 60% higher in Sugar Land than the national average, and violence is 177% more common than in the rest of America.

The high poverty and unemployment rate is a major factor in Sugar Land’s crime rate, and it doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.

10. Bellaire

  • Violent Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,110
  • Property Crime Rate Per 100k: 3,213
  • Population: 186,971

Crime affects 1 in 24 Bellaire natives, and it has seemingly been on the rise over the last few years. Violence is a major problem in Bellaire that 1 in 91 people have to experience firsthand, and it’s 193% more common than the national average.

Sadly, there is a 4.6% unemployment rate, and that contributes to poverty and crime in this Houston neighborhood.

There are 101 crimes per square mile in Bellaire, and the majority of them are property crimes. Recently, there were 266 thefts alone, but burglary and vehicle theft follow closely behind as common crimes in Bellaire. Bellaire is a beautiful neighborhood with a lot of cultures, but it should be avoided at night.


Related Questions

What is the safest neighborhood in Houston TX?

The safest neighborhood in Houston is Clear Lake City, but places like Midtown and Spring Branch are also safe. Each of these neighborhoods is notable for low property and violent crime rates, and they’re also affordable.


Is Houston a safe place to live?

Houston is considered to be a dangerous place to live, but because it’s so spread out, danger can be avoided. There were nearly 130,000 recent crimes in Houston, and assault and vehicle theft are among the most common crimes.

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Summing It Up

Houston is a beautiful, albeit dangerous city in Texas with many neighborhoods worth avoiding. Far North and Northeast are the two most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston. Both of these neighborhoods have crime rates higher than both Houston and the United States averages.

Neighborhoods such as Westchase and East End are also notable for being quite dangerous. You are mostly at risk for property crime in Houston, but violence is also commonplace. If you want to find safety in Houston, consider a neighborhood like Meyerland or Spring Branch.

Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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