Is Houston or Louisville Metro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Louisville Metro is safer than Houston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,035 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 26% lower. Houston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Louisville Metro has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 3.4x 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
Louisville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Louisville Metro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Louisville Metro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,034.8 | +1,407.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 708.6 | +439.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 21.7 | -7.9 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 30.7 | +42.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 128.2 | +145.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 526.7 | +260.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 3,326.2 | +967.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 455.6 | +189.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,086.6 | +859.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 783.9 | -80.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Louisville Metro safer?
Louisville Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 4,035 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Louisville Metro has 708.6. Louisville Metro 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 Louisville Metro, KY
Louisville Metro, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby, sprawls along the Ohio River. This consolidated city-county is Kentucky's most populous, with a diverse urban and suburban landscape. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 676,843, Louisville Metro has a total crime rate of 4,034.8 per 100,000 residents.