Is Houston or Orangeburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Orangeburg (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 7,455 for Orangeburg — 27% lower. Houston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Houston has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 174.1x 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
Orangeburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Orangeburg, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Orangeburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 7,455.0 | -2,013.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 1,246.3 | -98.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 30.0 | -16.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 22.5 | +50.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 187.7 | +86.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 1,006.0 | -218.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 6,208.7 | -1,915.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 1,111.1 | -466.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 4,557.1 | -1,611.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 540.5 | +162.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Orangeburg safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 7,455 for Orangeburg — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Orangeburg has 1,246.3. Houston 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 Orangeburg, SC
Orangeburg, SC, "The Garden City," is home to two historically Black colleges. Located along the Edisto River, it is the county seat of Orangeburg County. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 13,320, Orangeburg has a total crime rate of 7,455.0 per 100,000 residents.