Is El Cerrito or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Cerrito is safer than Houston (Safety Score 12/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,524 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 35% lower. El Cerrito has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cerrito has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 91.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Cerrito — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Cerrito, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Cerrito | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,524.2 | 5,441.7 | -1,917.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 479.9 | 1,148.3 | -668.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 15.7 | 73.0 | -57.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 287.1 | 274.0 | +13.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 177.0 | 787.4 | -610.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,044.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,249.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.3 | 644.8 | -306.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,253.8 | 2,945.7 | -691.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 452.3 | 703.0 | -250.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Cerrito or Houston safer?
El Cerrito is safer with a total crime rate of 3,524 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Cerrito has a violent crime rate of 479.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. El Cerrito has lower violent crime.
About El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito, a city in the East Bay, was incorporated in 1917 to prevent annexation by Richmond. Situated on the slopes above San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 25,424, El Cerrito has a total crime rate of 3,524.2 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.