Is Bluffton or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bluffton is safer than Houston (Safety Score 77/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 944 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 83% lower. Bluffton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bluffton has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 61.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bluffton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bluffton, SC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bluffton | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 943.9 | 5,441.7 | -4,497.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 118.7 | 1,148.3 | -1,029.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.3 | 13.8 | -8.5 |
| Rape Rate | 15.8 | 73.0 | -57.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 21.1 | 274.0 | -252.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 76.5 | 787.4 | -710.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 825.3 | 4,293.5 | -3,468.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 68.6 | 644.8 | -576.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 680.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,265.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 76.5 | 703.0 | -626.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bluffton or Houston safer?
Bluffton is safer with a total crime rate of 944 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bluffton has a violent crime rate of 118.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bluffton has lower violent crime.
About Bluffton, SC
Bluffton, a "Lowcountry" town on the May River, was once a thriving antebellum port. This charming Beaufort County community is known for its distinctive architecture and vibrant arts scene, drawing visitors to its historic district. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 37,927, Bluffton has a total crime rate of 943.9 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.