Is Bend or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bend is safer than Houston (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 72% lower. Bend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 21.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 5,441.7 | -3,911.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 1,148.3 | -979.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 13.8 | -11.0 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 73.0 | -50.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 274.0 | -251.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 787.4 | -666.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,931.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 644.8 | -515.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 2,945.7 | -1,795.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 703.0 | -620.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or Houston safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 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.