Is Emporia or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Emporia is safer than Houston (Safety Score 25/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 51% lower. Emporia has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Emporia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 96.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Emporia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Emporia, KS
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Emporia | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,671.2 | 5,441.7 | -2,770.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 369.2 | 1,148.3 | -779.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 66.4 | 73.0 | -6.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.6 | 274.0 | -257.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 286.2 | 787.4 | -501.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.0 | 4,293.5 | -1,991.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 431.4 | 644.8 | -213.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,791.9 | 2,945.7 | -1,153.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 78.8 | 703.0 | -624.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emporia or Houston safer?
Emporia is safer with a total crime rate of 2,671 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Emporia has a violent crime rate of 369.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Emporia has lower violent crime.
About Emporia, KS
Emporia, Kansas, a city of around 24,000 in Lyon County, is home to Emporia State University. Situated in the Flint Hills, it was a significant stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 24,109, Emporia has a total crime rate of 2,671.2 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.