Is Houston or Kearney Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kearney is safer than Houston (Safety Score 81/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 825 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 murder, where Kearney has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 205.8x 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
Kearney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Kearney, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Kearney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 825.4 | +4,616.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 213.0 | +935.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 71.0 | +2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 142.0 | +645.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 612.4 | +3,681.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 35.5 | +609.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 505.9 | +2,439.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 71.0 | +632.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Kearney safer?
Kearney is safer with a total crime rate of 825 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 Kearney has 213.0. Kearney 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 Kearney, MO
Kearney, MO, birthplace of Jesse James, is a small town in Clay County, north of Kansas City. Its residents enjoy a quiet, suburban life with a distinct Midwestern charm. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 11,267, Kearney has a total crime rate of 825.4 per 100,000 residents.