Is Gastonia or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gastonia is safer than Houston (Safety Score 6/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,364 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 20% lower. Gastonia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gastonia has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 27.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gastonia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gastonia, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gastonia | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,363.7 | 5,441.7 | -1,078.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 849.5 | 1,148.3 | -298.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 13.8 | -9.1 |
| Rape Rate | 37.6 | 73.0 | -35.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 123.4 | 274.0 | -150.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 683.8 | 787.4 | -103.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,514.2 | 4,293.5 | -779.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 512.3 | 644.8 | -132.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,587.2 | 2,945.7 | -358.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 414.8 | 703.0 | -288.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gastonia or Houston safer?
Gastonia is safer with a total crime rate of 4,364 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gastonia has a violent crime rate of 849.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Gastonia has lower violent crime.
About Gastonia, NC
Gastonia, North Carolina, a city with a rich textile history, sits west of Charlotte in Gaston County. Its population of over 80,000 residents reflects a diverse mix of backgrounds. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 85,112, Gastonia has a total crime rate of 4,363.7 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.