Texas : Safety by City
- Abilene
- Amarillo
- Austin
- Corpus Christi
- Dallas
- El Paso
- Fort Worth
- Garland
- Houston
- Irving
- Laredo
- Lubbock
- Plano
- San Antonio
- Tyler
- Waco
If you’re thinking of traveling to Texas for vacation, you’ve picked a great spot.
Located in the southern part of the United States, it is full of good food, friendly people, and fantastic weather (The summers can get a little toasty, which makes for a great reason to tube the Comal or take a trip to Galveston Beach!).
It is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, home to the Alamo, and has the largest state capital building in the United States!
Keep on reading for the complete rundown of everything you need to know before you head down south for a fun and exciting trip.
Warnings & Dangers in Texas
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
The overall risk we have given travelers in Texas is medium. This is largely due to the crime rate in the larger cities such as Houston and Dallas, but keep in mind that there are plenty of places you can visit that have safe locations if you're feeling uncomfortable.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
There is no documented risk for taxi services in Texas. However, if you are using a ride share service, you should always confirm the license plate number as well as the make and model of the vehicle before getting inside of it.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Since the crime rate in Texas is relatively low, we have also given your chance of being pickpocketed a low-risk rating. If you are in an area of Texas that has a higher crime rate (i.e. certain areas in Houston, Dallas, and El Paso), you should protect yourself by carrying your backpack across your chest, your wallet in your front pocket, and keeping your purse zipped up.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
We have given Texas a medium rating on natural disaster risk, as it has a tornado and hurricane season. Tornado season is from April to June and hurricane season is from June to November.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
The statistic in Texas for being a victim of a mugging is 91.4 per 100,000 people, which places Texas in the top 10 states where mugging occurs most frequently. For this reason, we have given the mugging risk a medium rating.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The terrorism risk in Texas is low, as most crimes are under the category of robbery or other types of violent crimes. That being said, there are ports in Texas that could pose a risk potential. However, there are no documented occurrences of this happening at the time of this writing.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Your risk of being scammed in Texas is low, however, you should always be vigilant and use common sense while traveling. If you have any concerns, you can always contact the police department in the city that you are in.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
We have given the grade for women travelers risk to Texas as low, based on the calculation of rape statistics in the state. The rape statistic in Texas works out to approximately .04% versus the national average of .03% of people. Both women and men are always advised to be cautious in their travels, but overall, it is relatively safe for female travelers.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The tap water risk in Texas is low, as this is still a US state (which has mandates and codes to ensure proper drinking water). However, if you're going to cross over the border (walk or drive) into Mexico, you will want to consume bottled water only until you are back in Texas.
Safest Places to Visit in Texas
Texas has plenty of safe areas to visit and have a great time.
If you’re a history buff, the Alamo is going to be perfect for you.
Not only is the area that it is located in very safe, but it also has a profound place in Texas history.
Another safe area with enjoyable activities is New Braunfels, where you can tube the Guadalupe River and the Comal for miles.
If the ocean is more your scene, Galveston is rich in Texas history and has plenty of restaurants, shopping, and swimming to take part in.
Certain areas of Dallas can be dangerous, but if you avoid those parts, there is a lot to see and do out there.
Restaurants, bars, and clubs are prominent in these areas and can be very enjoyable to let loose in.
Places to Avoid in Texas
The 7th most dangerous city in Texas is Houston, and it is a highly visited area.
It is also the 4th most heavily populated city in the United States, which can create an opportunity for crime.
Other dangerous cities in Texas include Bellmead, Humble, Lubbock, Bastrop, Palmview, Livingston, Alamo, Amarillo, and Beaumont.
Most of these cities do not see a heavy tourist flow (aside from Houston), but if you’re going to any of them, you should ensure that you are aware of your surroundings.
Always report any crimes or suspicious activity and concerns to the local law enforcement in these areas.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Texas
- Don’t travel alone. This should be a given, but traveling alone can be dangerous. Whenever you’re traveling, make sure you have a buddy system and that you know where each other are at all times.
- Protect yourself from pickpocketers. Even though the risk of being pickpocketed in Texas is low, anything is possible. Carry your wallet in your front pocket, keep your purse zipped up, and carry your backpack across your chest if you’re in an area with a high crime rate.
- Avoid high-risk areas. For the most part, the areas with high crime rates in Texas aren’t frequented by tourists too often. However, it’s still important to avoid cities in Texas with high crime rates (or stay in safer neighborhoods) to avoid becoming a victim of any crime.
- Keep your phone charged. Your phone won’t be good for much during an emergency if it isn’t fully charged. Make sure you have it charged before leaving for the day, and keep a battery pack in your bag in case it dies before you get back to your hotel.
- Rideshare safety. Lyft and Uber are very popular in more heavily populated cities, so you should always use proper rideshare safety. Check the license plate to make sure it matches the license plate number on your app as well as the make and model of the car you are getting into.
- Carry mace. Mace can be very handy in situations where you need to defend yourself and make a getaway. If you are flying into Texas, you cannot carry this on the plane, but it can be checked. Note: You cannot fly with more than 4 ounces of mace and it cannot be over 2% in strength. It also must be equipped with a safety feature that does not allow accidental discharge. The TSA recommends you check with your airline to ensure they do not have a policy against mace being checked in your luggage.
- Use a location app. Whether you are using an iPhone or a different app for location, you should always keep one running on your phone and ensure that your travel partner or a trusted friend or family member has access to the location.
- Avoid carrying excess cash and cards. If possible, you want to avoid carrying any excess cash and cards. If a robbery occurs, you want to be able to have a backup at your hotel room to finish your trip and make it home without any extra headache.
- Keep emergency information on hand. These can be local numbers for your country’s embassy or police or ambulance information, but you must have access to it in the event of an emergency.
- Make sure your bank knows you’re traveling. All banks have a fraud department that makes note of any suspicious activity occurring on your bank account. Purchases out of state or out of your country are a red flag for banks, and they may freeze your debit card or credit card if there is a concern. You can avoid this by letting your bank know where you are traveling and how long you expect to be there.
So... How Safe Is Texas Really?
Overall, Texas is a safe state to visit in the United States if you know where to go and avoid the places that do tend to see higher rates of crime.
While some cities do rank high in crime rates, there are plenty of places across this expansive state where you can visit to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
If you want to stick to safer areas that have more family fun activities, try to stay near Galveston, Austin, San Antonio, or New Braunfels and avoid cities in the list above that rank highest in crime in Texas.
These are all safe areas that have plenty of activities to enjoy while you are visiting this beautiful and friendly state!
How Does Texas Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Texas | 65 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Idaho | 85 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you don't live in the United States, you may need a visa or passport to gain entry. A non-petitioned base visa is 160.00 USD, and these are used for travelers who do not need an employer to petition for them to come and are generally reserved for tourists or those who do not seek to stay in the United States for a longer period (or permanently) and are not planning to work. To obtain this, you will need to fill out a form DS-160 which can be found online here.
Currency
The currency used in Texas is the United States Dollar (USD). Airports in Houston, Austin, and Dallas have currency exchanges, as do malls in major cities. If you are a banking customer of major banks such as Wells Fargo, you can also exchange your currency here.
Weather
The weather in Texas can get very warm in the summer, with temperatures reaching into the upper 90s and 100s. If you are traveling in the late spring to late summer, you will want to pack light clothes and a light jacket in case it gets cool in the evening. In the fall and winter, it can get cool and humid, so you should pack long sleeves, jeans, and a jacket. Keep in mind that Texas is a very large state, with a lot of different climates, so make sure you check up on the exact area you are traveling before you pack.
Airports
The major airports in Texas are Houston Hobby (located in Houston, Texas), Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (located in Dallas, Texas), and Austin Bergstrom International Airport (located in Austin, Texas). All of these are located within an hour's drive of the major city they are connected to, making it easy to start enjoying your travels as soon as you land!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is important and can help cover a canceled trip or emergency medical treatment. It is easy to obtain and you can get quotes online from various companies, such as through travelinsurance.com.
Texas Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 16 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 36 | 32 | 28 | 22 | 17 |
| Low °C | 5 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| High °F | 61 | 66 | 73 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 95 | 97 | 90 | 82 | 72 | 63 |
| Low °F | 41 | 45 | 52 | 59 | 66 | 72 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 61 | 50 | 43 |
Texas - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Abilene | 67 |
| Amarillo | 65 |
| Austin | 65 |
| Corpus Christi | 71 |
| Dallas | 64 |
| El Paso | 77 |
| Fort Worth | 77 |
| Garland | 83 |
| Houston | 59 |
| Irving | 79 |
| Laredo | 68 |
| Lubbock | 38 |
| Plano | 86 |
| San Antonio | 53 |
| Tyler | 70 |
| Waco | 61 |
Friendly place with many things to do and see
Texas is a great place to visit with so many activities and interesting sights that you’ll need months to see them all. It’s also a pretty friendly place and has less pickpockets than I would have expected (from what I read before arriving here). I’m glad my whole trip was a success and I will be returning as soon as I can.
REP state
Texas is not just a republican state, it’s the REPUBLICAN state. any other opinion here and people won’t really like to hear it.