Is Houston or Petaluma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than Houston (Safety Score 58/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 73% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 39.6x 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
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Petaluma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Petaluma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,444.6 | +3,997.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 271.8 | +876.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 44.5 | +28.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 44.5 | +229.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 182.9 | +604.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,172.8 | +3,120.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 95.7 | +549.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 976.2 | +1,969.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 100.9 | +602.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Petaluma safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Petaluma has 271.8. Petaluma 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 Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 per 100,000 residents.