Is Durham or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Durham is safer than Houston (Safety Score 6/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,420 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 19% lower. Durham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Durham has a 46% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 7.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,420.3 | 5,441.7 | -1,021.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 620.6 | 1,148.3 | -527.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.3 | 13.8 | -1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 57.3 | 73.0 | -15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 160.9 | 274.0 | -113.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 388.7 | 787.4 | -398.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,799.7 | 4,293.5 | -493.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 450.4 | 644.8 | -194.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,725.4 | 2,945.7 | -220.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 623.9 | 703.0 | -79.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Houston safer?
Durham is safer with a total crime rate of 4,420 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 620.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 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.