Is Houston or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Houston (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 43% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 29.7x 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
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,082.8 | +2,359.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 613.0 | +535.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 16.7 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 52.6 | +20.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 64.1 | +209.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 479.6 | +307.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,469.8 | +1,823.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 613.0 | +31.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,651.7 | +1,294.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 205.2 | +497.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.