Is Houston or Meridian Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Houston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Meridian has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 16.5x 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
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 718.2 | +4,723.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 146.8 | +1,001.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.7 | +13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 29.9 | +43.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 10.7 | +263.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 105.5 | +681.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 571.4 | +3,722.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 52.0 | +592.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 482.4 | +2,463.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 37.1 | +666.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Meridian safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian 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 Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 per 100,000 residents.