Is Cape Girardeau or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cape Girardeau is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Cape Girardeau has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cape Girardeau has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 56.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cape Girardeau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 5,441.7 | -2,362.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 1,148.3 | -525.0 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 13.8 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 73.0 | -21.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 274.0 | -242.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 787.4 | -254.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 4,293.5 | -1,837.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 644.8 | -347.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 2,945.7 | -1,014.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 703.0 | -474.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or Houston safer?
Cape Girardeau is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cape Girardeau has lower violent crime.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a city on the Mississippi River, is home to Southeast Missouri State University. Its historic downtown features a vibrant arts scene and overlooks the river, which forms the eastern border of Missouri. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 40,753, Cape Girardeau has a total crime rate of 3,079.5 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.