Is Appleton or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Appleton is safer than Houston (Safety Score 55/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 72% lower. Appleton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Appleton has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 31.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Appleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Appleton, WI
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Appleton | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,548.5 | 5,441.7 | -3,893.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 201.6 | 1,148.3 | -946.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 13.8 | -11.1 |
| Rape Rate | 52.4 | 73.0 | -20.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 274.0 | -264.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 137.1 | 787.4 | -650.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,346.9 | 4,293.5 | -2,946.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 153.2 | 644.8 | -491.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,130.5 | 2,945.7 | -1,815.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.2 | 703.0 | -639.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Appleton or Houston safer?
Appleton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Appleton has a violent crime rate of 201.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Appleton has lower violent crime.
About Appleton, WI
Appleton, a Fox Cities community along the Fox River in Northeast Wisconsin, is known for being Harry Houdini's childhood home. This city of over 75,000 residents is a regional hub for healthcare and paper manufacturing. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 74,394, Appleton has a total crime rate of 1,548.5 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.