Is Beaufort or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Beaufort is safer than Houston (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,276 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 21% lower. Beaufort has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Beaufort has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 166.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beaufort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaufort | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 5,441.7 | -1,165.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 1,148.3 | -445.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 13.8 | -6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 73.0 | -22.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 107.6 | 274.0 | -166.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 531.0 | 787.4 | -256.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 4,293.5 | -720.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 322.9 | 644.8 | -321.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,078.1 | 2,945.7 | +132.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.2 | 703.0 | -530.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort or Houston safer?
Beaufort is safer with a total crime rate of 4,276 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Beaufort has lower violent crime.
About Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city founded in 1711, is the second-oldest city in the state. Situated on Port Royal Island, it's home to a diverse population of roughly 13,000 residents. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 13,937, Beaufort has a total crime rate of 4,276.4 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.