Is Cocoa or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cocoa is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,636 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 15% lower. Cocoa has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cocoa has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 114.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cocoa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cocoa, FL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cocoa | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,635.5 | 5,441.7 | -806.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,082.3 | 1,148.3 | -66.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 13.8 | -8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 54.4 | 73.0 | -18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 182.9 | 274.0 | -91.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.1 | 787.4 | +52.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,553.3 | 4,293.5 | -740.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 395.4 | 644.8 | -249.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,064.0 | 2,945.7 | +118.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 93.9 | 703.0 | -609.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cocoa or Houston safer?
Cocoa is safer with a total crime rate of 4,636 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cocoa has a violent crime rate of 1,082.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cocoa has lower violent crime.
About Cocoa, FL
Cocoa, Florida, a city along the Indian River Lagoon, served as a vital port for citrus and lumber in the late 19th century. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Kennedy Space Center shaped its growth and transient population. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 20,235, Cocoa has a total crime rate of 4,635.5 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.