Is Bella Vista or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bella Vista is safer than Houston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 691 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% lower. Bella Vista has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bella Vista has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 70.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bella Vista — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bella Vista, AR
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bella Vista | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 691.4 | 5,441.7 | -4,750.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 202.3 | 1,148.3 | -946.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 13.8 | -10.8 |
| Rape Rate | 30.2 | 73.0 | -42.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 169.1 | 787.4 | -618.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 489.1 | 4,293.5 | -3,804.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 48.3 | 644.8 | -596.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 422.7 | 2,945.7 | -2,523.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 18.1 | 703.0 | -684.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bella Vista or Houston safer?
Bella Vista is safer with a total crime rate of 691 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bella Vista has a violent crime rate of 202.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bella Vista has lower violent crime.
About Bella Vista, AR
Bella Vista, Arkansas, a Bentonville suburb established as a retirement community, sits in the Ozark Mountains. This planned city is known for its seven scenic lakes and golf courses. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 33,122, Bella Vista has a total crime rate of 691.4 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.