Is Des Moines or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Moines is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 42% lower. Des Moines has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Moines has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 73.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Moines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Moines, WA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Moines | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,145.7 | 5,441.7 | -2,296.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 296.6 | 1,148.3 | -851.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 13.8 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 28.4 | 73.0 | -44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 104.1 | 274.0 | -169.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 160.9 | 787.4 | -626.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,849.1 | 4,293.5 | -1,444.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 214.6 | 644.8 | -430.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,927.8 | 2,945.7 | -1,017.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 706.8 | 703.0 | +3.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines or Houston safer?
Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 3,146 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 296.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Des Moines has lower violent crime.
About Des Moines, WA
Des Moines, Washington, a Puget Sound city, was once a popular resort town. Today, its waterfront views and proximity to Seattle attract a diverse population. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 31,694, Des Moines has a total crime rate of 3,145.7 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.