Is Council Bluffs or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Council Bluffs is safer than Houston (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 47% lower. Council Bluffs has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Council Bluffs has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 37.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Council Bluffs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Council Bluffs, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Council Bluffs | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,873.0 | 5,441.7 | -2,568.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 420.8 | 1,148.3 | -727.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 13.8 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 72.3 | 73.0 | -0.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.7 | 274.0 | -203.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 274.6 | 787.4 | -512.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,452.3 | 4,293.5 | -1,841.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 486.6 | 644.8 | -158.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,634.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,310.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 330.8 | 703.0 | -372.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs or Houston safer?
Council Bluffs is safer with a total crime rate of 2,873 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Council Bluffs has a violent crime rate of 420.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Council Bluffs has lower violent crime.
About Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, was a pivotal starting point for the Mormon Trail. This city of over 62,000 residents in Pottawattamie County has a rich railway history. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 62,269, Council Bluffs has a total crime rate of 2,873.0 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.