Is Elizabeth City or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elizabeth City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 24/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,728 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 50% lower. Elizabeth City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elizabeth City has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 121.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Elizabeth City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elizabeth City, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Elizabeth City | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,727.7 | 5,441.7 | -2,714.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 341.0 | 1,148.3 | -807.3 |
| Murder Rate | 15.7 | 13.8 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 31.5 | 73.0 | -41.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.2 | 274.0 | -226.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 246.5 | 787.4 | -540.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,386.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,906.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 503.6 | 644.8 | -141.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,589.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,356.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 293.8 | 703.0 | -409.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elizabeth City or Houston safer?
Elizabeth City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,728 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Elizabeth City has a violent crime rate of 341.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Elizabeth City has lower violent crime.
About Elizabeth City, NC
Elizabeth City, a historic Albemarle region port founded in 1794, sits on the Pasquotank River. This northeastern North Carolina county seat is home to approximately 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 19,064, Elizabeth City has a total crime rate of 2,727.7 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.