Is Houston or Joplin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Joplin is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 14% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Joplin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 43.3x 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
Joplin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Joplin, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Joplin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,681.2 | +760.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 560.4 | +587.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 89.7 | -16.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 52.3 | +221.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 418.4 | +368.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 4,120.8 | +172.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 416.6 | +228.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,298.9 | -353.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 405.4 | +297.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Joplin safer?
Joplin is safer with a total crime rate of 4,681 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Joplin has 560.4. Joplin 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 Joplin, MO
Joplin, a city along historic Route 66, sits in Missouri's southwestern corner. Its economy has historically been tied to lead and zinc mining. The population is around 50,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 53,533, Joplin has a total crime rate of 4,681.2 per 100,000 residents.