Is Houston or Kinston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Kinston (Safety Score 3/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 5,938 for Kinston — 8% lower. Houston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kinston has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 120.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kinston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Kinston, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Kinston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 5,938.4 | -496.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 974.2 | +174.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 20.7 | -6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 77.7 | -4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 82.9 | +191.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 777.3 | +10.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 4,964.2 | -670.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 994.9 | -350.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,725.8 | -780.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 243.6 | +459.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Kinston safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 5,938 for Kinston — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Kinston has 974.2. Kinston has lower violent crime.
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.
About Kinston, NC
Kinston, a historic city in eastern North Carolina, is home to the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. This Lenoir County seat has a population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 19,298, Kinston has a total crime rate of 5,938.4 per 100,000 residents.