Is Houston or Lake Wales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Wales is safer than Houston (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 67% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Wales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 137.9x 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 Wales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Lake Wales, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Lake Wales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,772.4 | +3,669.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 243.9 | +904.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 23.8 | +49.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 17.8 | +256.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 202.2 | +585.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,528.6 | +2,764.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 190.3 | +454.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,189.6 | +1,756.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 148.7 | +554.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Lake Wales safer?
Lake Wales is safer with a total crime rate of 1,772 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Lake Wales has 243.9. Lake Wales 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 Wales, FL
Lake Wales, home to Bok Tower Gardens, sits in Polk County, Florida. This city in the geographic center of the state has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Lake Wales has a total crime rate of 1,772.4 per 100,000 residents.