Is Chapel Hill or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chapel Hill is safer than Houston (Safety Score 24/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Chapel Hill has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chapel Hill has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 36.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chapel Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,755.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 1,148.3 | -976.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 13.8 | -12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 73.0 | -60.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 274.0 | -228.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 787.4 | -674.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 4,293.5 | -1,778.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 644.8 | -305.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 2,945.7 | -956.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 703.0 | -516.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or Houston safer?
Chapel Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Chapel Hill has lower violent crime.
About Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, home to the nation's first public university, is a vibrant town in Orange County, North Carolina. Its youthful population, largely influenced by UNC, enjoys the rolling Piedmont hills. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 63,906, Chapel Hill has a total crime rate of 2,686.8 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.