Is Houston or New Bern Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Bern is safer than Houston (Safety Score 41/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 64% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Bern has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 71.3x 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 Bern — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
New Bern, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | New Bern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,978.6 | +3,463.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 362.5 | +785.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.3 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 33.8 | +39.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 43.0 | +231.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 273.4 | +513.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,616.1 | +2,677.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 273.4 | +371.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,293.5 | +1,652.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 49.2 | +653.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or New Bern safer?
New Bern is safer with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while New Bern has 362.5. New Bern 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 Bern, NC
New Bern, North Carolina, a colonial capital, sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. This Craven County seat is home to Tryon Palace and a population of around 30,000. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 32,548, New Bern has a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents.