Is Brea or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brea is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Brea has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brea has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 47.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brea, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brea | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,075.6 | 5,441.7 | -2,366.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 210.6 | 1,148.3 | -937.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 13.8 | -11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 12.3 | 73.0 | -60.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.0 | 274.0 | -182.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.3 | 787.4 | -683.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,865.0 | 4,293.5 | -1,428.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.9 | 644.8 | -374.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,439.6 | 2,945.7 | -506.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 155.4 | 703.0 | -547.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brea or Houston safer?
Brea is safer with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brea has a violent crime rate of 210.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Brea has lower violent crime.
About Brea, CA
Brea, California, once known for its oil fields, is a suburban city in northern Orange County. It features a vibrant downtown area and is home to a diverse population of around 47,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 48,901, Brea has a total crime rate of 3,075.6 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.