Is Houston or Newport News Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newport News is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,152 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 42% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newport News has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 12.6x 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
Newport News — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Newport News, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Newport News | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,152.1 | +2,289.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 736.0 | +412.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.0 | +1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 28.9 | +44.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 85.0 | +189.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 610.1 | +177.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,416.1 | +1,877.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 221.7 | +423.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,908.9 | +1,036.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 285.5 | +417.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Newport News safer?
Newport News is safer with a total crime rate of 3,152 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Newport News has 736.0. Newport News 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 News, VA
Newport News, a shipbuilding hub with a deepwater port on the James River, is home to a diverse population. Its economy has long been shaped by military installations and maritime industries, influencing its cultural landscape. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 183,563, Newport News has a total crime rate of 3,152.1 per 100,000 residents.