Is Dayton or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dayton is safer than Houston (Safety Score 94/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 435 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 92% lower. Dayton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dayton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 205.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dayton — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dayton | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 434.7 | 5,441.7 | -5,007.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 17.7 | 1,148.3 | -1,130.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 73.0 | -64.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 8.9 | 787.4 | -778.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 416.9 | 4,293.5 | -3,876.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 44.4 | 644.8 | -600.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 346.0 | 2,945.7 | -2,599.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 26.6 | 703.0 | -676.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dayton or Houston safer?
Dayton is safer with a total crime rate of 435 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dayton has a violent crime rate of 17.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Dayton has lower violent crime.
About Dayton, MN
Dayton, Minnesota, once known as "Two Rivers" for its location at the confluence of the Crow and Mississippi Rivers, is a growing suburban community. It sits primarily in Hennepin County, with a small portion extending into Wright County. With a safety score of 94/100 and a population coverage of 11,273, Dayton has a total crime rate of 434.7 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.