Is Houston or New Bedford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Bedford is safer than Houston (Safety Score 49/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,712 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Bedford has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 22.6x 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
New Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
New Bedford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | New Bedford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,712.4 | +3,729.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 353.2 | +795.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 6.8 | +7.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 43.9 | +29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 78.1 | +196.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 224.4 | +562.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,359.1 | +2,934.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 184.4 | +460.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 930.8 | +2,014.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 243.9 | +459.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or New Bedford safer?
New Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 1,712 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while New Bedford has 353.2. New Bedford 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 New Bedford, MA
New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world, is a coastal city in southeastern Massachusetts. Its diverse population includes a significant Portuguese American community, contributing to its vibrant cultural fabric and local economy. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 102,491, New Bedford has a total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 residents.