Is Fort Dodge or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fort Dodge is safer than Houston (Safety Score 7/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,257 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 22% lower. Fort Dodge has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fort Dodge has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 94.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fort Dodge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Dodge, IA
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fort Dodge | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,256.8 | 5,441.7 | -1,184.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,061.1 | 1,148.3 | -87.1 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 13.8 | -9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 151.0 | 73.0 | +78.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.1 | 274.0 | -221.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 853.0 | 787.4 | +65.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,195.7 | 4,293.5 | -1,097.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 416.3 | 644.8 | -228.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,465.1 | 2,945.7 | -480.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 314.3 | 703.0 | -388.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Dodge or Houston safer?
Fort Dodge is safer with a total crime rate of 4,257 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fort Dodge has a violent crime rate of 1,061.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Fort Dodge has lower violent crime.
About Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Dodge, a city in Webster County, Iowa, sits on the Des Moines River. Historically a gypsum mining hub, it boasts a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 24,502, Fort Dodge has a total crime rate of 4,256.8 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.