Is Columbia Heights or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbia Heights is safer than Houston (Safety Score 28/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,506 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 54% lower. Columbia Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Columbia Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 99.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbia Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbia Heights, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbia Heights | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,506.3 | 5,441.7 | -2,935.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 321.3 | 1,148.3 | -826.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 68.6 | 73.0 | -4.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 72.8 | 274.0 | -201.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 179.9 | 787.4 | -607.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,185.0 | 4,293.5 | -2,108.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.4 | 644.8 | -473.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,568.1 | 2,945.7 | -1,377.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 445.6 | 703.0 | -257.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia Heights or Houston safer?
Columbia Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 2,506 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbia Heights has a violent crime rate of 321.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Columbia Heights has lower violent crime.
About Columbia Heights, MN
Columbia Heights, Minnesota, once known for its streetcar lines, is a first-ring suburb north of Minneapolis. This city, primarily residential, has a diverse population with a significant portion of residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 23,341, Columbia Heights has a total crime rate of 2,506.3 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.