Is Burlington or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burlington is safer than Houston (Safety Score 34/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 59% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Burlington has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 98.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,239.4 | 5,441.7 | -3,202.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 413.8 | 1,148.3 | -734.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 13.8 | -5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 73.0 | -34.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 274.0 | -257.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 349.8 | 787.4 | -437.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,825.6 | 4,293.5 | -2,467.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.0 | 644.8 | -371.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,356.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,589.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 196.2 | 703.0 | -506.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or Houston safer?
Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 413.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, IA
Burlington, Iowa, a historic Mississippi River town, was once the state's first capital. Located in Des Moines County, its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 23,444, Burlington has a total crime rate of 2,239.4 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.