Is Houston or Johnston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Johnston is safer than Houston (Safety Score 81/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 85% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Johnston has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 93.4x 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
Johnston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Johnston, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Johnston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 826.0 | +4,615.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 76.6 | +1,071.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.0 | +9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 12.1 | +60.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 8.1 | +266.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 52.4 | +735.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 749.4 | +3,544.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 76.6 | +568.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 527.8 | +2,417.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 145.1 | +558.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Johnston safer?
Johnston is safer with a total crime rate of 826 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Johnston has 76.6. Johnston 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 Johnston, IA
Johnston, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a major agricultural research company. Situated in Polk County, it boasts a growing population with a median age of around 38. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 24,819, Johnston has a total crime rate of 826.0 per 100,000 residents.