Is Houston or Mountain View Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mountain View is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mountain View has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 28.5x 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
Mountain View — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Mountain View, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Mountain View | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,080.0 | +2,361.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 306.9 | +841.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 46.7 | +26.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 55.2 | +218.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 205.0 | +582.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,773.1 | +1,520.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 494.7 | +150.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,046.4 | +899.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 232.0 | +471.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Mountain View safer?
Mountain View is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Mountain View has 306.9. Mountain View 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 Mountain View, CA
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills, Mountain View is a Silicon Valley hub and home to Google's headquarters. It was also the site of the first successful commercial radio station, KQW, in 1909. The city boasts a diverse population of over 80,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 81,461, Mountain View has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 per 100,000 residents.