Is Dubuque or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dubuque is safer than Houston (Safety Score 45/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 66% lower. Dubuque has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dubuque has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 39.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dubuque — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dubuque, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dubuque | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,835.6 | 5,441.7 | -3,606.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 400.9 | 1,148.3 | -747.4 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 13.8 | -12.1 |
| Rape Rate | 80.2 | 73.0 | +7.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.9 | 274.0 | -250.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 295.1 | 787.4 | -492.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,434.7 | 4,293.5 | -2,858.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 228.6 | 644.8 | -416.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,112.3 | 2,945.7 | -1,833.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 93.8 | 703.0 | -609.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubuque or Houston safer?
Dubuque is safer with a total crime rate of 1,836 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dubuque has a violent crime rate of 400.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Dubuque has lower violent crime.
About Dubuque, IA
Perched on the Mississippi River, Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city, boasting a rich industrial past. This Tri-State Area hub, with a population around 60,000, sits at the convergence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 58,620, Dubuque has a total crime rate of 1,835.6 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.