Is Charlottesville or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlottesville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,550 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 35% lower. Charlottesville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlottesville has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 51.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlottesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 5,441.7 | -1,891.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 1,148.3 | -789.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 13.8 | -11.6 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 73.0 | -30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 274.0 | -213.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 787.4 | -533.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 4,293.5 | -1,102.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 644.8 | -403.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 2,945.7 | -285.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 703.0 | -413.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Houston safer?
Charlottesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,550 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Charlottesville has lower violent crime.
About Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is a university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is predominantly white, with a significant student population from the University of Virginia. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 44,844, Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3,550.1 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.