Is Houston or North Charleston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, North Charleston is safer than Houston (Safety Score 4/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 12% lower. Houston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where North Charleston has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 18.8x 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
North Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
North Charleston, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | North Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,767.2 | +674.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 811.3 | +337.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 17.0 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 60.7 | +12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 153.0 | +121.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 579.7 | +207.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,955.9 | +337.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 323.9 | +320.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,105.8 | -160.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 526.3 | +176.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or North Charleston safer?
North Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 4,767 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while North Charleston has 811.3. North Charleston 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 North Charleston, SC
North Charleston, a city with a rich naval history, lies in the heart of the Lowcountry. It's home to a diverse population exceeding 115,000 residents, spanning both Charleston and Dorchester counties. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 123,511, North Charleston has a total crime rate of 4,767.2 per 100,000 residents.