Is Bell Gardens or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bell Gardens is safer than Houston (Safety Score 45/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,864 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 66% lower. Bell Gardens has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bell Gardens has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 62.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bell Gardens — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bell Gardens, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bell Gardens | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,864.3 | 5,441.7 | -3,577.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 388.1 | 1,148.3 | -760.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 13.8 | -11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 24.4 | 73.0 | -48.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.0 | 274.0 | -141.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 228.0 | 787.4 | -559.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,476.3 | 4,293.5 | -2,817.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 135.7 | 644.8 | -509.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 835.8 | 2,945.7 | -2,109.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 504.8 | 703.0 | -198.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bell Gardens or Houston safer?
Bell Gardens is safer with a total crime rate of 1,864 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bell Gardens has a violent crime rate of 388.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bell Gardens has lower violent crime.
About Bell Gardens, CA
Bell Gardens, a small Gateway Cities community in Los Angeles County, was once home to a major dairy industry. This largely Hispanic city is densely populated along the Rio Hondo. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 36,850, Bell Gardens has a total crime rate of 1,864.3 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.