Is Ankeny or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ankeny is safer than Houston (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,188 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Ankeny has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ankeny has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 30.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ankeny — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ankeny, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ankeny | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,187.5 | 5,441.7 | -4,254.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 165.9 | 1,148.3 | -982.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 40.5 | 73.0 | -32.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.5 | 274.0 | -267.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.9 | 787.4 | -668.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,021.6 | 4,293.5 | -3,271.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 64.0 | 644.8 | -580.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.7 | 2,945.7 | -2,073.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.9 | 703.0 | -618.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ankeny or Houston safer?
Ankeny is safer with a total crime rate of 1,188 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ankeny has a violent crime rate of 165.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Ankeny has lower violent crime.
About Ankeny, IA
Ankeny, a suburb north of Des Moines, was founded as a railway stop. Its population has rapidly expanded, making it one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 76,547, Ankeny has a total crime rate of 1,187.5 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.