Is Covington or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,285 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 40% lower. Covington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Covington has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 109.3x 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, WA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,285.3 | 5,441.7 | -2,156.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 179.1 | 1,148.3 | -969.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 13.8 | -9.1 |
| Rape Rate | 33.0 | 73.0 | -40.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 61.3 | 274.0 | -212.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 80.1 | 787.4 | -707.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,106.2 | 4,293.5 | -1,187.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 315.8 | 644.8 | -329.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,342.6 | 2,945.7 | -603.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 447.8 | 703.0 | -255.2 |
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 3,285 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 179.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, WA
Covington, originally a logging settlement named for Richard Covington, sits in King County, Washington. This suburban community, incorporated in 1997, is characterized by its family-oriented population and proximity to the Cascade foothills. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 21,216, Covington has a total crime rate of 3,285.3 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.