Is Bolivar or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bolivar is safer than Houston (Safety Score 66/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Bolivar has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bolivar has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 201.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bolivar — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bolivar, MO
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bolivar | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,197.6 | 5,441.7 | -4,244.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,148.3 | -974.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 95.5 | 73.0 | +22.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.7 | 274.0 | -265.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.4 | 787.4 | -717.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,024.0 | 4,293.5 | -3,269.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 112.8 | 644.8 | -531.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 841.8 | 2,945.7 | -2,103.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.4 | 703.0 | -633.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolivar or Houston safer?
Bolivar is safer with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bolivar has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Bolivar has lower violent crime.
About Bolivar, MO
Bolivar, the seat of Polk County, is nestled in the Ozarks and home to Southwest Baptist University. This town, named for Venezuelan liberator Simón Bolívar, has a population around 10,000. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 11,523, Bolivar has a total crime rate of 1,197.6 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.