Is Bedford or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bedford is safer than Houston (Safety Score 93/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 457 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 92% lower. Bedford has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bedford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 158.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, MA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 457.1 | 5,441.7 | -4,984.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 13.6 | 1,148.3 | -1,134.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 13.8 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 73.0 | -73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 787.4 | -787.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 443.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,850.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.9 | 644.8 | -603.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.2 | 2,945.7 | -2,570.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.3 | 703.0 | -675.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or Houston safer?
Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 457 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 13.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, home to Hanscom Air Force Base and a significant tech industry presence, sits northwest of Boston. This Middlesex County town, a bedroom community, maintains a suburban character with a notable historical district. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 14,659, Bedford has a total crime rate of 457.1 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.