Is Cedar Rapids or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cedar Rapids is safer than Houston (Safety Score 20/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 46% lower. Cedar Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cedar Rapids has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 17.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 5,441.7 | -2,490.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 1,148.3 | -886.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 13.8 | -13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 73.0 | -61.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 274.0 | -243.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 787.4 | -567.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 4,293.5 | -1,604.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 644.8 | -370.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 2,945.7 | -742.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 703.0 | -491.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Houston safer?
Cedar Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 2,951 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cedar Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Cedar Rapids, IA
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a city bisected by the Cedar River, boasts a vibrant Czech Village reflecting its immigrant history. It is the second-largest city in Iowa, with a population approaching 140,000. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 135,363, Cedar Rapids has a total crime rate of 2,951.3 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.