Is Barnstable or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Barnstable is safer than Houston (Safety Score 66/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Barnstable has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Barnstable has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 45.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barnstable — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barnstable, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barnstable | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,195.8 | 5,441.7 | -4,245.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.4 | 1,148.3 | -737.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 13.8 | -11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 64.8 | 73.0 | -8.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.7 | 274.0 | -256.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.0 | 787.4 | -461.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 785.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,508.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 131.6 | 644.8 | -513.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 581.2 | 2,945.7 | -2,364.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 72.7 | 703.0 | -630.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnstable or Houston safer?
Barnstable is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barnstable has a violent crime rate of 410.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Barnstable has lower violent crime.
About Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, the largest community on Cape Cod, is a historic town of villages including Hyannis, a major transportation hub. Its population of over 45,000 makes it the most populous municipality in Barnstable County. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 50,928, Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1,195.8 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.