Is Houston or Mount Airy Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mount Airy is safer than Houston (Safety Score 23/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,748 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 50% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Mount Airy has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 219.0x 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
Mount Airy — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Mount Airy, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Mount Airy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,747.9 | +2,693.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 311.6 | +836.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 9.4 | +4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 66.1 | +6.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 236.1 | +551.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,436.3 | +1,857.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 528.8 | +116.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,728.1 | +1,217.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 179.4 | +523.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Mount Airy safer?
Mount Airy is safer with a total crime rate of 2,748 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Mount Airy has 311.6. Mount Airy 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 Mount Airy, NC
Mount Airy, North Carolina, known as the inspiration for Mayberry, sits in Surry County near the Virginia border. This small town, home to the world's largest open-face granite quarry, has a population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 10,590, Mount Airy has a total crime rate of 2,747.9 per 100,000 residents.