Is Bettendorf or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bettendorf is safer than Houston (Safety Score 75/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 975 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 82% lower. Bettendorf has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bettendorf has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 57.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bettendorf — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bettendorf, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bettendorf | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 974.9 | 5,441.7 | -4,466.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 107.2 | 1,148.3 | -1,041.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 73.0 | -30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.0 | 274.0 | -269.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 57.4 | 787.4 | -730.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 867.7 | 4,293.5 | -3,425.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.6 | 644.8 | -480.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 633.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,312.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.8 | 703.0 | -633.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bettendorf or Houston safer?
Bettendorf is safer with a total crime rate of 975 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bettendorf has a violent crime rate of 107.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bettendorf has lower violent crime.
About Bettendorf, IA
Bettendorf, Iowa, a Mississippi River city and part of the Quad Cities, was once home to the Bettendorf Company, a major railroad car manufacturer. It is the smallest of the Quad Cities by land area. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 40,105, Bettendorf has a total crime rate of 974.9 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.