Is Houston or Mountlake Terrace Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mountlake Terrace is safer than Houston (Safety Score 31/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,385 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 56% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mountlake Terrace has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 107.4x 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
Mountlake Terrace — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Mountlake Terrace, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Mountlake Terrace | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,384.8 | +3,056.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 194.5 | +953.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 0.0 | +73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 55.6 | +218.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 138.9 | +648.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,190.3 | +2,103.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 305.6 | +339.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,338.3 | +1,607.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 546.4 | +156.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Mountlake Terrace safer?
Mountlake Terrace is safer with a total crime rate of 2,385 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Mountlake Terrace has 194.5. Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace, WA
Mountlake Terrace, a Puget Sound community, was incorporated in 1954 and is known for its annual Tour de Terrace festival. It's situated north of Seattle, with a population of around 21,000 residents. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 21,595, Mountlake Terrace has a total crime rate of 2,384.8 per 100,000 residents.