What Is the Crime Rate in Texas and How Common Is Vehicle Theft?

As the 11th most dangerous state in the nation, Texas comes with some potential challenges for residents. Not only do Texas residents have a higher risk of assault or physical violence, but their belongings are also more at risk. Texas has the second-highest number of motor vehicle thefts in the U.S.

All of this data can sound concerning, but being proactive can help you prevent a lot of crimes. The right security measures can keep you, your vehicles, and your other belongings as safe as possible.

An overview of crime in Texas

What is the crime rate in Texas? Overall, Texas has a crime rate of roughly 781,500 crimes each year. There are 22 property crimes per 1,000 residents and 4.55 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

Different areas of Texas have different amounts and types of crime. Here are some details about what city in Texas has the highest crime rate and what city in Texas has the lowest crime rate.

Dallas

Dallas is one of the largest cities in Texas, so it's no surprise that it has one of the highest rates of crime in the state. Dallas has 8.64 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 36.29 property crimes per 1,000 residents. This makes it less safe than both state and national average crime rates.

Houston

The Houston, Texas crime rate is much higher than other major Texas cities. If you live in Houston, you have a 1 in 81 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Houston has a crime rate of 54.73 crimes per 1,000 residents.

San Antonio

The San Antonio crime rate is on par with most other parts of Texas. There are 7.51 violent crimes committed per 1,000 residents and 42.04 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.

Austin

Austin has a reputation for being a little more creative and laid-back than other Texas cities, but that doesn't mean it's entirely crime-free. Austin, Texas crime rates are lower than most other similarly large Texas towns, but they are still slightly above national averages. There is a violent crime rate of 5.23 crimes per 1,000 residents and 35.86 property crimes per 1,000 residents.

What you need to know about burglary of a vehicle in Texas

When considering crime in Texas, a few key statistics stand out. Compared to other types of crime, Texas has abnormally high rates of motor vehicle theft. Each year, roughly 85,000 motor vehicles in Texas get stolen. This makes Texas the state with the second highest amount of motor vehicle theft, second only to California.

However, keep in mind that the rates for vehicle burglary in Texas aren't quite as bad as they sound. This shocking statistic is simply due to the fact that Texas is one of the biggest states and has the most cars overall. We can get a clearer look at how common theft of a motor vehicle is in Texas by looking at the rate of theft compared to the number of registered cars. Texas has 287 car thefts for every 100,000 registered vehicles. This makes it the state with the 13th highest rate of motor vehicle theft.

Cities in Texas with the most motor vehicle theft

When it comes to car theft, Odessa outranks all other Texas cities. Odessa has a rate of 664 cars stolen per 100,000 vehicles. This makes it the fourth-highest-ranking city for car theft in the nation. Some other cities might outrank Odessa soon, though. The City of Austin has recently reported a 39% to 85% increase in car theft. A lot of Central Texas cities like McAllen, Laredo, and San Antonio have also reported increasing rates of car theft.

Most frequently stolen vehicles in Texas

Unfortunately for Texas residents who love pickup trucks, the following vehicles are some of the most commonly stolen in Texas. The most frequently stolen vehicles are manufactured in the early 2000s, are a neutral color, and are among these models:

• Chevrolet full-size pickup
• Ford full-size pickup
• Honda Civic
• Honda Accord
• Toyota Camry
• GMC full-size pickup
• Nissan Altima

How to reduce your risk of car theft in Texas

Whether you're living in a high-risk area or not, Vivint can help protect your car. Our Car Guard security system lets you see disturbance alerts and track your vehicle's location directly from your phone. With the Outdoor Camera Pro, it's easy to check your vehicle when it’s disturbed and get video footage of whatever happens.

Benefits of an automated home and vehicle security system in Texas

Despite its crime rates being higher than the national average, Texas isn't necessarily dangerous. Vivint's security features let you take control of your own safety.

• Monitor potential access points: Security sensors on your doors and windows are an easy way to deter or stop crime. You get a notification as soon as a criminal breaks in, so the police can arrive as soon as possible. If you connect sensors to your alarm, you can also use the loud sound to draw attention to your home and deter criminals.
• Prevent damage from natural disasters: Don't forget that Texas' weather can also threaten your home or vehicle. Vivint's safety alarms will let you know if they detect fires, water leaks, smoke, or carbon monoxide.
• Protect your property 24/7: Our monitoring services ensure you get protection every day and every night. In case you aren't around to notice a threat, our specialists can alert you to the issue and respond to the emergency. This gives you peace of mind even when you aren't at home.
• Enjoy stress-free installation: Every Vivint system comes with professional installation. Not only can you skip the hassle of DIY, but you can also be confident that your products are properly wired, mounted, and connected. Thanks to professional installation, your Texas security system works properly every time.

We help Texas residents stay safe

No matter where in Texas you call home, you can live safely and securely with a Vivint security system protecting your home. Vivint's home security and automation systems are here to give you protection and peace of mind. In addition to deterring criminals, home security systems can also minimize the fallout if your property gets targeted.

Ready to get started with Vivint? Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.