Is Grand Rapids or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grand Rapids is safer than Houston (Safety Score 69/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 79% lower. Grand Rapids has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grand Rapids has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 204.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grand Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grand Rapids, MN
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grand Rapids | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,120.6 | 5,441.7 | -4,321.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 88.2 | 1,148.3 | -1,060.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 8.8 | 73.0 | -64.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.4 | 787.4 | -707.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,032.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,261.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 17.7 | 644.8 | -627.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,014.7 | 2,945.7 | -1,930.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 703.0 | -703.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids or Houston safer?
Grand Rapids is safer with a total crime rate of 1,121 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grand Rapids has a violent crime rate of 88.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Grand Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Grand Rapids, MN
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, a city of 11,000 in Itasca County, is home to the Forest History Center. Known as the birthplace of Judy Garland, it sits on the Mississippi River, surrounded by lakes and forests. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 11,333, Grand Rapids has a total crime rate of 1,120.6 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.