Is Carlsbad or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carlsbad is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,316 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 39% lower. Carlsbad has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carlsbad has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 74.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carlsbad — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carlsbad, NM
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carlsbad | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,315.9 | 5,441.7 | -2,125.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 524.9 | 1,148.3 | -623.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 13.8 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 73.0 | -37.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.8 | 274.0 | -261.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 473.7 | 787.4 | -313.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,791.0 | 4,293.5 | -1,502.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 326.5 | 644.8 | -318.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,051.7 | 2,945.7 | -894.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 412.9 | 703.0 | -290.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlsbad or Houston safer?
Carlsbad is safer with a total crime rate of 3,316 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 524.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Carlsbad has lower violent crime.
About Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad, New Mexico, a city founded by pioneers near the Pecos River, is home to over 28,000 residents. Its economy has historically been tied to potash mining and oil and gas, influencing its demographic makeup. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 31,243, Carlsbad has a total crime rate of 3,315.9 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.