Is Covington or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Houston (Safety Score 43/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 65% lower. Covington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Covington has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 56.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Covington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington, KY
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,922.7 | 5,441.7 | -3,519.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.9 | 1,148.3 | -860.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 13.8 | -8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 65.9 | 73.0 | -7.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.6 | 274.0 | -198.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 141.5 | 787.4 | -645.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,634.8 | 4,293.5 | -2,658.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 207.4 | 644.8 | -437.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,085.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,859.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 341.6 | 703.0 | -361.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Covington or Houston safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 287.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, KY
Covington, Kentucky, part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Known for its historic German immigrant architecture, the city is Kentucky's largest river city by population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 40,984, Covington has a total crime rate of 1,922.7 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.