Is Houston or La Crosse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Crosse is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,103 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 25% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where La Crosse has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 45.6x 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
La Crosse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
La Crosse, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | La Crosse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,102.7 | +1,339.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 391.0 | +757.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.0 | +11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 78.6 | -5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 25.5 | +248.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 284.9 | +502.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,711.7 | +581.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 279.0 | +365.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,269.6 | -323.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 163.1 | +539.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or La Crosse safer?
La Crosse is safer with a total crime rate of 4,103 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while La Crosse has 391.0. La Crosse 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 La Crosse, WI
Nestled on the Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is home to Oktoberfest USA. This city of roughly 52,000 residents lies in a unique bluffland topography. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 50,893, La Crosse has a total crime rate of 4,102.7 per 100,000 residents.