Is Houston or Morro Bay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morro Bay is safer than Houston (Safety Score 71/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 80% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Morro Bay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 220.2x 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
Morro Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Morro Bay, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Morro Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,091.9 | +4,349.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 303.8 | +844.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 66.5 | +6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 19.0 | +255.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 208.9 | +578.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 788.1 | +3,505.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 38.0 | +606.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 702.6 | +2,243.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 47.5 | +655.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Morro Bay safer?
Morro Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Morro Bay has 303.8. Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay, CA
Morro Bay, a small coastal city in San Luis Obispo County, is famous for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that's part of the Nine Sisters. Its harbor supports a fishing fleet and draws tourists to its waterfront. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 10,532, Morro Bay has a total crime rate of 1,091.9 per 100,000 residents.