Is Great Falls or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Great Falls is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,001 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 26% lower. Great Falls has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Great Falls has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 38.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Great Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Great Falls, MT
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Great Falls | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,000.7 | 5,441.7 | -1,441.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 574.4 | 1,148.3 | -573.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 89.4 | 73.0 | +16.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.4 | 274.0 | -227.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 438.6 | 787.4 | -348.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,426.4 | 4,293.5 | -867.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 397.3 | 644.8 | -247.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,810.6 | 2,945.7 | -135.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 218.5 | 703.0 | -484.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Falls or Houston safer?
Great Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 4,001 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Great Falls has a violent crime rate of 574.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Great Falls has lower violent crime.
About Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, Montana, a city bisected by the Missouri River, holds the only remaining intact Black Eagle Dam, a marvel of early hydroelectric engineering. This community, the third largest in Montana, is known for its proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 60,414, Great Falls has a total crime rate of 4,000.7 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.