Is Branson or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Branson (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 6,494 for Branson — 16% lower. Branson has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Branson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 178.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Branson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Branson, MO
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Branson | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,493.6 | 5,441.7 | +1,051.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 477.6 | 1,148.3 | -670.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 84.7 | 73.0 | +11.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.2 | 274.0 | -227.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 346.6 | 787.4 | -440.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,016.0 | 4,293.5 | +1,722.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 215.7 | 644.8 | -429.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,461.4 | 2,945.7 | +2,515.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 338.9 | 703.0 | -364.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Branson or Houston safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 6,494 for Branson — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Branson has a violent crime rate of 477.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Branson has lower violent crime.
About Branson, MO
Branson, a popular Midwest tourist destination, is known for its live entertainment theaters, attracting millions of visitors annually. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Taney County, it's a small city with a significant transient population. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 12,982, Branson has a total crime rate of 6,493.6 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.