Is Dover or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dover is safer than Houston (Safety Score 80/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 834 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 85% lower. Dover has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dover has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 68.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, NH
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 833.9 | 5,441.7 | -4,607.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 47.5 | 1,148.3 | -1,100.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 29.7 | 73.0 | -43.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 17.8 | 787.4 | -769.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 786.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,507.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.4 | 644.8 | -585.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 706.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,239.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 20.8 | 703.0 | -682.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or Houston safer?
Dover is safer with a total crime rate of 834 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 47.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Dover has lower violent crime.
About Dover, NH
Dover, New Hampshire, the oldest continuous settlement in the state, sits on the Cocheco River. This city of over 30,000 residents is part of Strafford County. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 33,696, Dover has a total crime rate of 833.9 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.