Is Carthage or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carthage is safer than Houston (Safety Score 58/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 73% lower. Carthage has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Carthage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 149.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carthage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carthage, MO
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carthage | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,459.9 | 5,441.7 | -3,981.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,148.3 | -974.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 25.7 | 73.0 | -47.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 147.9 | 787.4 | -639.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,286.3 | 4,293.5 | -3,007.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.4 | 644.8 | -490.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,029.0 | 2,945.7 | -1,916.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.9 | 703.0 | -600.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage or Houston safer?
Carthage is safer with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carthage has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Carthage has lower violent crime.
About Carthage, MO
Carthage, Missouri, known as "America's Maple Leaf City," sits in Jasper County. This city of over 15,000 residents is home to the historic Jasper County Courthouse, built with local Carthage stone. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 15,549, Carthage has a total crime rate of 1,459.9 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.