Is Houston or Laguna Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Laguna Beach is safer than Houston (Safety Score 70/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,117 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 79% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Laguna Beach has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 104.9x 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
Laguna Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Laguna Beach, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Laguna Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,116.9 | +4,324.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 167.3 | +981.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 13.6 | +59.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 40.7 | +233.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 113.1 | +674.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 949.6 | +3,343.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 126.6 | +518.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 746.1 | +2,199.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 76.9 | +626.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Laguna Beach safer?
Laguna Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,117 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Laguna Beach has 167.3. Laguna Beach 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 Laguna Beach, CA
Laguna Beach, a coastal city in Southern California renowned for its artist community and many art galleries, is nestled among canyons and beaches. Its population of roughly 22,000 residents enjoys a picturesque setting. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 22,115, Laguna Beach has a total crime rate of 1,116.9 per 100,000 residents.