Is Houston or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 41% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 2.4x 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
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,194.8 | +2,246.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 606.9 | +541.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.7 | +11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 77.3 | -4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 140.8 | +133.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 386.0 | +401.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,587.9 | +1,705.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 427.0 | +217.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,523.2 | +1,422.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 637.6 | +65.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose 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 Jose, CA
San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is a diverse Silicon Valley hub with a rich history, once serving as California's first state capital. Located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, its population reflects a broad range of ethnicities and income levels. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 956,840, San Jose has a total crime rate of 3,194.8 per 100,000 residents.