Is Houston or Somerville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Somerville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 43/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 65% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Somerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 28.4x 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
Somerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Somerville, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Somerville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,920.1 | +3,521.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 221.4 | +926.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 15.9 | +57.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 24.5 | +249.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 181.0 | +606.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,698.8 | +2,594.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 289.9 | +354.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,279.3 | +1,666.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 129.6 | +573.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Somerville safer?
Somerville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,920 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Somerville has 221.4. Somerville 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 Somerville, MA
Somerville, MA, a densely populated city immediately north of Boston, is known for its vibrant arts scene and diverse neighborhoods. Historically home to many working-class immigrants, it's now a hub for young professionals and students. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 81,766, Somerville has a total crime rate of 1,920.1 per 100,000 residents.