Is Houston or Miami Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Miami is safer than Houston (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,381 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 38% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Miami has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 180.7x 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
Miami — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Miami, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,381.1 | +2,060.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 514.2 | +634.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 7.8 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 54.5 | +18.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 7.8 | +266.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 444.1 | +343.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,866.9 | +1,426.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 498.6 | +146.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,181.4 | +764.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 187.0 | +516.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Miami safer?
Miami is safer with a total crime rate of 3,381 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Miami has 514.2. Miami 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 Miami, OK
Miami, Oklahoma, a town in Ottawa County, was once a thriving lead and zinc mining hub. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, it serves as the tribal headquarters for several Native American nations. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 12,836, Miami has a total crime rate of 3,381.1 per 100,000 residents.