Is Houston or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Francisco is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,526 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 17% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Francisco has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 2.9x 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 Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,525.6 | +916.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 596.5 | +551.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.4 | +9.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 34.9 | +38.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 267.2 | +6.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 290.1 | +497.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,929.1 | +364.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 637.5 | +7.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,618.9 | +326.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 672.7 | +30.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or San Francisco safer?
San Francisco is safer with a total crime rate of 4,526 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.