Is Houston or Palm Bay Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palm Bay is safer than Houston (Safety Score 61/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 75% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Palm Bay has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 16.4x 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
Palm Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Palm Bay, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Palm Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,365.3 | +4,076.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 347.9 | +800.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 7.8 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 47.5 | +25.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 51.7 | +222.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 240.2 | +547.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,017.5 | +3,276.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 229.6 | +415.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 724.8 | +2,220.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 63.1 | +640.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Palm Bay safer?
Palm Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,365 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Palm Bay has 347.9. Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay, FL
Palm Bay, a sprawling city on Florida's Space Coast, began as Tillman and grew significantly after being marketed by General Development Corporation. Its diverse population, largely residential, stretches across a low-lying, wooded landscape along the Indian River Lagoon. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 141,137, Palm Bay has a total crime rate of 1,365.3 per 100,000 residents.