Is Houston or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Cruz is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Cruz has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 37.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Houston, TX?
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,128.2 | +2,313.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 612.9 | +535.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.9 | +8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 42.4 | +30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 102.7 | +171.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 463.0 | +324.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,515.2 | +1,778.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 135.3 | +509.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,221.8 | +723.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 158.1 | +544.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Santa Cruz safer?
Santa Cruz is safer with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. Santa Cruz 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 Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.