Is Houston or Myrtle Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Myrtle Beach (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 6,767 for Myrtle Beach — 20% lower. Houston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Myrtle Beach has a 37% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 56.5x 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
Myrtle Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Myrtle Beach, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Myrtle Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 6,767.1 | -1,325.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 1,111.6 | +36.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.2 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 185.3 | -112.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 173.1 | +100.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 741.1 | +46.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 5,655.5 | -1,362.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 446.1 | +198.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 4,814.5 | -1,868.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 394.9 | +308.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Myrtle Beach safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 6,767 for Myrtle Beach — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Myrtle Beach has 1,111.6. Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach, a popular East Coast vacation destination, is known for its "Grand Strand" of beaches and numerous golf courses. This coastal city in Horry County experiences a significant influx of tourists, especially during the summer months. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 41,022, Myrtle Beach has a total crime rate of 6,767.1 per 100,000 residents.