Is Bellingham or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 25% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 24.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 5,441.7 | -1,333.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 1,148.3 | -797.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 13.8 | -11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 73.0 | -52.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 274.0 | -196.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 787.4 | -537.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 4,293.5 | -536.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 644.8 | -153.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 2,945.7 | +167.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 703.0 | -550.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Houston safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,108 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 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.