Is Hays or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hays is safer than Houston (Safety Score 50/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Hays has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hays has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 110.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hays — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hays, KS
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hays | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,694.4 | 5,441.7 | -3,747.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 233.2 | 1,148.3 | -915.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 57.1 | 73.0 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 274.0 | -264.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 787.4 | -620.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,461.1 | 4,293.5 | -2,832.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 171.3 | 644.8 | -473.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,218.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,727.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 71.4 | 703.0 | -631.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hays or Houston safer?
Hays is safer with a total crime rate of 1,694 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hays has a violent crime rate of 233.2 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Hays has lower violent crime.
About Hays, KS
Hays, Kansas, once a frontier outpost for Fort Hays, is a city in Ellis County with a population of around 21,000. Located on I-70 in the High Plains, it's home to Fort Hays State University. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Hays has a total crime rate of 1,694.4 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.