Is Big Lake or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Big Lake is safer than Houston (Safety Score 93/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 473 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 91% lower. Big Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Big Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 179.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Big Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Big Lake, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Big Lake | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 472.7 | 5,441.7 | -4,969.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 131.7 | 1,148.3 | -1,016.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 69.8 | 73.0 | -3.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.0 | 787.4 | -725.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 341.0 | 4,293.5 | -3,952.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 23.3 | 644.8 | -621.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 294.5 | 2,945.7 | -2,651.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 23.3 | 703.0 | -679.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Lake or Houston safer?
Big Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 473 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Big Lake has a violent crime rate of 131.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Big Lake has lower violent crime.
About Big Lake, MN
Big Lake, Minnesota, a city in Sherburne County, is named for the expansive lake within its borders. Once a stop on the Great Northern Railway, it is now a growing residential community situated along the Mississippi River. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 12,904, Big Lake has a total crime rate of 472.7 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.