Is Boise or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boise is safer than Houston (Safety Score 60/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 74% lower. Boise has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Boise has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 9.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boise, ID
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boise | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,403.8 | 5,441.7 | -4,037.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 293.8 | 1,148.3 | -854.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 13.8 | -12.5 |
| Rape Rate | 71.0 | 73.0 | -2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.7 | 274.0 | -258.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.8 | 787.4 | -581.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.0 | 4,293.5 | -3,183.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.1 | 644.8 | -537.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.8 | 2,945.7 | -2,072.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 130.1 | 703.0 | -572.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or Houston safer?
Boise is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boise has a violent crime rate of 293.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Boise has lower violent crime.
About Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, known for the "Treefort Music Fest," sits along the Boise River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As the state capital, it's the largest city in Idaho, with a population exceeding 230,000. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 235,223, Boise has a total crime rate of 1,403.8 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.