Is Houston or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kansas City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,655 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 robbery, where Kansas City has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 15.1x 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
Kansas City — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Kansas City, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,655.0 | +786.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 1,048.5 | +99.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.4 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 67.8 | +5.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 93.9 | +180.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 873.1 | -85.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,606.5 | +687.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 442.7 | +202.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,271.7 | +674.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 892.0 | -189.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Kansas City safer?
Kansas City is safer with a total crime rate of 4,655 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 Kansas City has 1,048.5. Kansas 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 Kansas City, KS
Kansas City, Kansas, part of the larger KC metro area, is the county seat of Wyandotte County. Its historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood reflects the city's rich Eastern European immigrant heritage. Situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it's a key transportation hub. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 153,363, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 4,655.0 per 100,000 residents.