Is Fullerton or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fullerton is safer than Houston (Safety Score 29/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,481 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 54% lower. Fullerton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fullerton has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 16.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fullerton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fullerton, CA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fullerton | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,481.5 | 5,441.7 | -2,960.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 457.4 | 1,148.3 | -690.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 13.8 | -13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 32.6 | 73.0 | -40.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 90.6 | 274.0 | -183.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 331.3 | 787.4 | -456.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,024.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,269.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 327.0 | 644.8 | -317.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.9 | 2,945.7 | -1,458.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 210.2 | 703.0 | -492.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fullerton or Houston safer?
Fullerton is safer with a total crime rate of 2,481 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fullerton has a violent crime rate of 457.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Fullerton has lower violent crime.
About Fullerton, CA
Fullerton, a city in northern Orange County, is home to California State University, Fullerton. It developed around citrus groves and now boasts a diverse population with a notable student presence. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 137,942, Fullerton has a total crime rate of 2,481.5 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.