Is Houston or Midland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Midland is safer than Houston (Safety Score 82/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 780 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 86% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Midland has a 99% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 54.3x 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
Midland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Midland, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Midland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 779.6 | +4,662.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 124.1 | +1,024.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 2.3 | +11.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 39.8 | +33.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 2.3 | +271.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 77.3 | +710.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 655.6 | +3,637.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 51.5 | +593.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 580.6 | +2,365.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 23.4 | +679.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Midland safer?
Midland is safer with a total crime rate of 780 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Midland has 124.1. Midland 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 Midland, MI
Midland, home to Dow Chemical since 1897, is a city in Michigan's Lower Peninsula with a predominantly white population. It sits at the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 42,712, Midland has a total crime rate of 779.6 per 100,000 residents.