Is Houston or Newport Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newport Beach is safer than Houston (Safety Score 37/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,126 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 61% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newport Beach has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 28.3x 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
Newport Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Newport Beach, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Newport Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,125.6 | +3,316.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 253.0 | +895.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.4 | +11.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 33.0 | +40.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 46.5 | +227.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 169.9 | +617.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,872.6 | +2,420.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 315.4 | +329.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,409.4 | +1,536.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 147.9 | +555.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Newport Beach safer?
Newport Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,126 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Newport Beach has 253.0. Newport 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 Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach, California, a coastal city known for its affluent residents and the Balboa Pavilion, a historic landmark. Its harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast, attracting many visitors. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 81,811, Newport Beach has a total crime rate of 2,125.6 per 100,000 residents.