Is Chula Vista or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chula Vista is safer than Houston (Safety Score 56/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,508 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 72% lower. Chula Vista has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chula Vista has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 8.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chula Vista — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chula Vista, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chula Vista | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,508.2 | 5,441.7 | -3,933.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.8 | 1,148.3 | -772.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 13.8 | -12.7 |
| Rape Rate | 19.4 | 73.0 | -53.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.2 | 274.0 | -191.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 273.2 | 787.4 | -514.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,132.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,161.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.4 | 644.8 | -510.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 666.4 | 2,945.7 | -2,279.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 331.6 | 703.0 | -371.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chula Vista or Houston safer?
Chula Vista is safer with a total crime rate of 1,508 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chula Vista has a violent crime rate of 375.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Chula Vista has lower violent crime.
About Chula Vista, CA
Chula Vista, "beautiful view" in Spanish, is San Diego County's second-largest city. It's home to the Olympic Training Center and sits just north of the Mexican border, reflecting a vibrant binational culture. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 273,843, Chula Vista has a total crime rate of 1,508.2 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.