Is Hickory or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hickory is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 41% lower. Hickory has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hickory has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 51.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hickory — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hickory, NC
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hickory | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,234.0 | 5,441.7 | -2,207.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 409.6 | 1,148.3 | -738.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 13.8 | -11.6 |
| Rape Rate | 24.6 | 73.0 | -48.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.0 | 274.0 | -218.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 324.5 | 787.4 | -462.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,824.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,469.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 409.6 | 644.8 | -235.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,150.8 | 2,945.7 | -794.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 264.1 | 703.0 | -438.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hickory or Houston safer?
Hickory is safer with a total crime rate of 3,234 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hickory has a violent crime rate of 409.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Hickory has lower violent crime.
About Hickory, NC
Nestled in the Catawba Valley, Hickory is a city of around 43,000 residents known for its furniture manufacturing heritage. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering scenic views and outdoor access. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 44,682, Hickory has a total crime rate of 3,234.0 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.