Is Barstow or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Barstow is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,751 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 31% lower. Barstow has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Barstow has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 93.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barstow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barstow, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barstow | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,751.5 | 5,441.7 | -1,690.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,112.1 | 1,148.3 | -36.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 13.8 | -9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 88.7 | 73.0 | +15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 266.0 | 274.0 | -8.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 749.5 | 787.4 | -37.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,639.3 | 4,293.5 | -1,654.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 656.8 | 644.8 | +12.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,386.2 | 2,945.7 | -1,559.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.4 | 703.0 | -106.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barstow or Houston safer?
Barstow is safer with a total crime rate of 3,751 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barstow has a violent crime rate of 1,112.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Barstow has lower violent crime.
About Barstow, CA
Barstow, a Mojave Desert city, is a historic railroad town and home to Casa del Desierto, a Harvey House hotel. Situated at the junction of I-15 and I-40, it serves as a crucial transportation hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 24,817, Barstow has a total crime rate of 3,751.5 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.