Is Houston or Santa Clara Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Clara is safer than Houston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Clara has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 17.6x 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
Santa Clara — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Santa Clara, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Santa Clara | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,683.8 | +2,757.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 182.0 | +966.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 1.5 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 19.7 | +53.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 57.6 | +216.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 103.1 | +684.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,501.9 | +1,791.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 337.4 | +307.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,771.0 | +1,174.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 393.5 | +309.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Santa Clara safer?
Santa Clara is safer with a total crime rate of 2,684 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Santa Clara has 182.0. Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara, home to Levi's Stadium, is a Silicon Valley city in Santa Clara County. It's a key tech hub with a diverse, educated population and a significant presence of professionals in the STEM fields. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 131,901, Santa Clara has a total crime rate of 2,683.8 per 100,000 residents.