Is Houston or Redwood City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Redwood City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 62% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Redwood City has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 29.0x 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
Redwood City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Redwood City, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Redwood City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,092.2 | +3,349.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 472.2 | +676.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.5 | +11.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 53.7 | +19.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 137.4 | +136.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 278.5 | +508.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,620.0 | +2,673.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 118.7 | +526.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,246.6 | +1,699.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 254.8 | +448.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Redwood City safer?
Redwood City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,092 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Redwood City has 472.2. Redwood City 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 Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, was once a major lumber port. It sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, with a diverse population and a significant Latin American community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 80,060, Redwood City has a total crime rate of 2,092.2 per 100,000 residents.