Is Houston or San Bernardino Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Bernardino is safer than Houston (Safety Score 10/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,795 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 30% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Bernardino has a 33% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 10.3x 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
San Bernardino — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
San Bernardino, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | San Bernardino | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,794.8 | +1,647.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 897.1 | +251.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 11.2 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 49.9 | +23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 241.2 | +32.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 594.8 | +192.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,897.7 | +1,395.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 455.2 | +189.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,677.4 | +1,268.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 765.1 | -62.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or San Bernardino safer?
San Bernardino is safer with a total crime rate of 3,795 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while San Bernardino has 897.1. San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino, CA
Nestled in the Inland Empire, San Bernardino is a diverse city historically linked to the Santa Fe Railroad. Its population of over 200,000 residents enjoys views of the San Bernardino Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 224,283, San Bernardino has a total crime rate of 3,794.8 per 100,000 residents.