Is Houston or Jefferson City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jefferson City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 31/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 56% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Jefferson City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 54.5x 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
Jefferson City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Jefferson City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Jefferson City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,373.1 | +3,068.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 333.6 | +814.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 94.0 | -21.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 30.5 | +243.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 209.1 | +578.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,039.4 | +2,254.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 141.0 | +503.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,788.0 | +1,157.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 110.4 | +592.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Jefferson City safer?
Jefferson City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,373 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Jefferson City has 333.6. Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City, MO
Nestled on the Missouri River bluffs, Jefferson City is Missouri's state capital, home to the imposing Capitol building. This mid-sized city, with a population around 43,000, sits roughly in the center of the state. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 42,561, Jefferson City has a total crime rate of 2,373.1 per 100,000 residents.