Is Aiken or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aiken is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,527 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 17% lower. Aiken has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Aiken has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 69.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aiken — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aiken, SC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aiken | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.3 | 5,441.7 | -914.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 568.9 | 1,148.3 | -579.3 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 13.8 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.2 | 73.0 | -15.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 274.0 | -213.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 439.5 | 787.4 | -347.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,958.3 | 4,293.5 | -335.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.2 | 644.8 | -304.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,404.5 | 2,945.7 | +458.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 213.7 | 703.0 | -489.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiken or Houston safer?
Aiken is safer with a total crime rate of 4,527 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aiken has a violent crime rate of 568.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Aiken has lower violent crime.
About Aiken, SC
Aiken, South Carolina, a city in Aiken County, is known for its historic Winter Colony estates. Located in the western part of the state, it boasts a population of over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 33,221, Aiken has a total crime rate of 4,527.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.