Is Houston or Moreno Valley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Moreno Valley is safer than Houston (Safety Score 42/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,938 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 64% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Moreno Valley has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 10.9x 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
Moreno Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Moreno Valley, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Moreno Valley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,938.4 | +3,503.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 272.5 | +875.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 3.3 | +10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 8.9 | +64.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 85.2 | +188.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 175.1 | +612.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,665.9 | +2,627.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 234.1 | +410.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,171.9 | +1,773.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 259.9 | +443.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Moreno Valley safer?
Moreno Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,938 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Moreno Valley has 272.5. Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley, CA
Nestled in the Inland Empire, Moreno Valley is a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. It was once home to March Air Force Base, a key training facility during World War II. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 213,581, Moreno Valley has a total crime rate of 1,938.4 per 100,000 residents.