A recent study examined safety in big cities across the United States. Houston was ranked as the second least safest big city, with high rates of violent and property crimes. The city also has a high disaster risk and auto fatalities.

The study placed Houston at 82 out of 83 cities in terms of safety, just above Memphis, Tennessee. Dallas was also ranked as one of the least safe large cities. Further details on the study's methodology and rankings are available from the source, including information on other Texas cities that were found to be among the safest in the country, such as Plano.