Is Albert Lea or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Albert Lea is safer than Houston (Safety Score 50/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,698 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Albert Lea has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Albert Lea has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 127.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albert Lea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albert Lea, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albert Lea | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,698.4 | 5,441.7 | -3,743.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 208.9 | 1,148.3 | -939.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 11.0 | 73.0 | -62.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.5 | 274.0 | -246.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.4 | 787.4 | -617.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,489.5 | 4,293.5 | -2,804.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.3 | 644.8 | -331.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,071.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,873.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 104.4 | 703.0 | -598.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albert Lea or Houston safer?
Albert Lea is safer with a total crime rate of 1,698 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albert Lea has a violent crime rate of 208.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Albert Lea has lower violent crime.
About Albert Lea, MN
Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a city of about 18,000 residents in Freeborn County, named for a surveyor. It's known for its two lakes, Albert Lea Lake and Fountain Lake, and for being the birthplace of the Naeve Hospital School of Nursing. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,194, Albert Lea has a total crime rate of 1,698.4 per 100,000 residents.
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.