Is Houston or Los Angeles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than Houston (Safety Score 35/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 59% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Los Angeles has a 65% lower rate.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,212.5 | +3,229.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 728.5 | +419.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 7.0 | +6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 40.3 | +32.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 209.9 | +64.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 471.4 | +316.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,483.9 | +2,809.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 372.8 | +272.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 851.5 | +2,094.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 259.6 | +443.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Los Angeles safer?
Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Los Angeles has 728.5. Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 per 100,000 residents.