Is Cleveland or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cleveland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,227 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 41% lower. Cleveland has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cleveland has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 228.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cleveland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cleveland, MS
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cleveland | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,226.8 | 5,441.7 | -2,215.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 383.7 | 1,148.3 | -764.6 |
| Murder Rate | 19.7 | 13.8 | +5.9 |
| Rape Rate | 19.7 | 73.0 | -53.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.4 | 274.0 | -234.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 305.0 | 787.4 | -482.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,843.1 | 4,293.5 | -1,450.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 186.9 | 644.8 | -457.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,390.6 | 2,945.7 | -555.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 265.6 | 703.0 | -437.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland or Houston safer?
Cleveland is safer with a total crime rate of 3,227 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cleveland has a violent crime rate of 383.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cleveland has lower violent crime.
About Cleveland, MS
Cleveland, Mississippi, a Delta city bisected by Highway 61, is home to Delta State University. Its downtown hosts the Grammy Museum Mississippi, celebrating the region's blues heritage. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 10,165, Cleveland has a total crime rate of 3,226.8 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.