Is Bismarck or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bismarck is safer than Houston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Bismarck has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bismarck has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 30.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bismarck — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bismarck, ND
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bismarck | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,677.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,763.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 278.0 | 1,148.3 | -870.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 13.8 | -12.5 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 73.0 | -28.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.9 | 274.0 | -213.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 170.8 | 787.4 | -616.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,399.9 | 4,293.5 | -1,893.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.5 | 644.8 | -397.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,922.0 | 2,945.7 | -1,023.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.3 | 703.0 | -472.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bismarck or Houston safer?
Bismarck is safer with a total crime rate of 2,678 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bismarck has a violent crime rate of 278.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bismarck has lower violent crime.
About Bismarck, ND
Bismarck, North Dakota, the state capital, sits on the east bank of the Missouri River. Named for German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, it's a regional hub with a growing population of over 70,000. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 75,546, Bismarck has a total crime rate of 2,677.8 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.