Is Alpena or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alpena is safer than Houston (Safety Score 56/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 72% lower. Alpena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Alpena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 229.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alpena — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alpena, MI
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alpena | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,503.8 | 5,441.7 | -3,938.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 514.4 | 1,148.3 | -633.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 158.3 | 73.0 | +85.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 356.2 | 787.4 | -431.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 989.3 | 4,293.5 | -3,304.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 644.8 | -446.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 732.1 | 2,945.7 | -2,213.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.4 | 703.0 | -643.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpena or Houston safer?
Alpena is safer with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alpena has a violent crime rate of 514.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Alpena has lower violent crime.
About Alpena, MI
Alpena, Michigan, "The Sanctuary of the Great Lakes," is a small city on Lake Huron. It's known for its limestone quarries and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 10,108, Alpena has a total crime rate of 1,503.8 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.