Is Ferndale or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ferndale is safer than Houston (Safety Score 49/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Ferndale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 142.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ferndale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ferndale, WA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ferndale | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.3 | 5,441.7 | -3,735.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.3 | 1,148.3 | -1,043.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 73.0 | -48.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.3 | 274.0 | -261.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 67.5 | 787.4 | -719.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,601.9 | 4,293.5 | -2,691.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 233.2 | 644.8 | -411.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,295.0 | 2,945.7 | -1,650.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.7 | 703.0 | -629.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ferndale or Houston safer?
Ferndale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ferndale has a violent crime rate of 104.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Ferndale has lower violent crime.
About Ferndale, WA
Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 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.