Is Houston or Kansas City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Houston is safer than Kansas City (Safety Score 3/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City — 13% lower. Houston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Houston has a 50% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 4.5x 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
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 6,224.4 | -782.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 1,547.4 | -399.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 27.6 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 74.7 | -1.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 254.0 | +20.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 1,191.2 | -403.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 4,677.0 | -383.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 490.4 | +154.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,454.9 | +490.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 1,731.8 | -1,028.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Kansas City safer?
Houston is safer with a total crime rate of 5,442 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. Houston 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, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.