Is Chico or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chico is safer than Houston (Safety Score 26/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 52% lower. Chico has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chico has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 23.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chico — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chico, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chico | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,599.4 | 5,441.7 | -2,842.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 701.2 | 1,148.3 | -447.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 13.8 | -11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 137.9 | 73.0 | +64.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.3 | 274.0 | -191.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 477.0 | 787.4 | -310.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,898.2 | 4,293.5 | -2,395.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 208.3 | 644.8 | -436.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.7 | 2,945.7 | -1,459.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 703.0 | -499.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico or Houston safer?
Chico is safer with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chico has a violent crime rate of 701.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Chico has lower violent crime.
About Chico, CA
Chico, home to California State University, Chico, is a city in the Sacramento Valley. It boasts Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city's population is around 100,000. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 100,831, Chico has a total crime rate of 2,599.4 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.