Is Houston or Moses Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Moses Lake is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,631 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 15% lower. Houston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Moses Lake has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 87.1x 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
Moses Lake — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Moses Lake, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Moses Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 4,631.2 | +810.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 394.4 | +753.9 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 22.5 | -8.7 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 22.5 | +50.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 78.9 | +195.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 270.4 | +516.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 4,236.8 | +56.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 612.2 | +32.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 3,444.3 | -498.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 180.3 | +522.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Moses Lake safer?
Moses Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 4,631 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Moses Lake has 394.4. Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake, WA
Moses Lake, a city in Grant County, Washington, is named for a lake formed by the Columbia Basin Project. The area is known for its agricultural roots and draws a diverse population, including a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Moses Lake has a total crime rate of 4,631.2 per 100,000 residents.