Is Houston or Lake City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake City is safer than Houston (Safety Score 99/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 221 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 96% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 182.7x 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 City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Lake City, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Lake City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 220.6 | +5,221.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 15.8 | +1,132.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 0.0 | +73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 15.8 | +771.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 204.9 | +4,088.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 47.3 | +597.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 157.6 | +2,788.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 0.0 | +703.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Lake City safer?
Lake City is safer with a total crime rate of 221 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 96% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Lake City has 15.8. Lake 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 Lake City, FL
Lake City, Florida, a North Florida town, was once known as "Bandana" for its Confederate sympathies. Situated at the intersection of I-75 and I-10, it's the county seat of Columbia County, home to over 60,000 residents. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 12,691, Lake City has a total crime rate of 220.6 per 100,000 residents.