Is Houston or Idaho Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Idaho Falls is safer than Houston (Safety Score 54/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,566 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 71% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Idaho Falls has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 33.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Idaho Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Idaho Falls, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Idaho Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,565.9 | +3,875.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 356.5 | +791.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.4 | +9.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 71.3 | +1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 10.2 | +263.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 270.7 | +516.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,209.3 | +3,084.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 308.5 | +336.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 774.2 | +2,171.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 126.6 | +576.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Idaho Falls safer?
Idaho Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 1,566 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Idaho Falls has 356.5. Idaho Falls has lower violent crime.
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.
About Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Falls, a city vital to the Manhattan Project, sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho. It serves as a regional hub, home to the Idaho National Laboratory and a growing population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 68,716, Idaho Falls has a total crime rate of 1,565.9 per 100,000 residents.