Is Houston or New Canaan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Canaan is safer than Houston (Safety Score 82/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 787 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 86% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New Canaan has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 110.6x 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 Canaan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
New Canaan, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | New Canaan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 786.7 | +4,655.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 9.5 | +1,138.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 4.8 | +68.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 4.8 | +782.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 777.2 | +3,516.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 76.3 | +568.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 510.2 | +2,435.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 190.7 | +512.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or New Canaan safer?
New Canaan is safer with a total crime rate of 787 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while New Canaan has 9.5. New Canaan 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 Canaan, CT
New Canaan, a wealthy Fairfield County suburb, is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Situated near the Merritt Parkway, its affluent residents enjoy a quiet, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 20,973, New Canaan has a total crime rate of 786.7 per 100,000 residents.