Is Houston or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than Houston (Safety Score 27/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 53% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 21.1x 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 Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,543.3 | +2,898.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 660.6 | +487.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.7 | +11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 68.2 | +4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 173.6 | +100.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 416.2 | +371.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,882.7 | +2,410.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 312.6 | +332.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,149.4 | +1,796.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 420.7 | +282.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.