Is Houston or Maryland Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Maryland Heights is safer than Houston (Safety Score 56/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,499 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 72% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Maryland Heights has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 84.8x 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
Maryland Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Maryland Heights, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Maryland Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,499.0 | +3,942.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 168.2 | +980.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 3.7 | +10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 40.2 | +32.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 14.6 | +259.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 109.7 | +677.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,330.9 | +2,962.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 120.7 | +524.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 910.4 | +2,035.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 299.8 | +403.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Maryland Heights safer?
Maryland Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,499 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Maryland Heights has 168.2. Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights, MO
Maryland Heights, a suburban St. Louis county municipality, is home to Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, a popular recreation area. Located in west St. Louis County, it boasts a diverse population. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 27,351, Maryland Heights has a total crime rate of 1,499.0 per 100,000 residents.