Is Bakersfield or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bakersfield is safer than Houston (Safety Score 19/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 44% lower. Bakersfield has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bakersfield has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 5.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bakersfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bakersfield | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 5,441.7 | -2,415.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 1,148.3 | -591.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 13.8 | -7.1 |
| Rape Rate | 40.9 | 73.0 | -32.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 125.7 | 274.0 | -148.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 381.4 | 787.4 | -406.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,823.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 537.6 | 644.8 | -107.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,259.0 | 2,945.7 | -1,686.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 673.1 | 703.0 | -29.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield or Houston safer?
Bakersfield is safer with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bakersfield has lower violent crime.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, a city in California's Central Valley, is known for its country music heritage, the "Bakersfield Sound." It is a major agricultural and oil-producing region, with a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 416,120, Bakersfield has a total crime rate of 3,026.1 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.