Is Beckley or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Beckley (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 8,517 for Beckley — 36% lower. Beckley has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beckley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 141.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beckley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beckley, WV
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beckley | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,517.1 | 5,441.7 | +3,075.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 604.9 | 1,148.3 | -543.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 116.1 | 73.0 | +43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.0 | 274.0 | -219.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 433.8 | 787.4 | -353.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,912.3 | 4,293.5 | +3,618.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 879.8 | 644.8 | +235.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 6,861.4 | 2,945.7 | +3,915.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 171.1 | 703.0 | -531.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beckley or Houston safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 8,517 for Beckley — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beckley has a violent crime rate of 604.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Beckley has lower violent crime.
About Beckley, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Beckley, West Virginia, is a historic coal mining town. Home to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, it serves as a regional hub for southern West Virginia. Its population is approximately 16,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 16,367, Beckley has a total crime rate of 8,517.1 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.