Is Houston or Muscle Shoals Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Muscle Shoals is safer than Houston (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,171 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 42% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Muscle Shoals has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 132.5x 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
Muscle Shoals — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Muscle Shoals, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Muscle Shoals | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,171.3 | +2,270.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 188.6 | +959.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 40.0 | +33.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 17.1 | +256.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 125.7 | +661.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,982.7 | +1,310.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 114.3 | +530.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,685.6 | +260.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 182.9 | +520.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Muscle Shoals safer?
Muscle Shoals is safer with a total crime rate of 3,171 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Muscle Shoals has 188.6. Muscle Shoals 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 Muscle Shoals, AL
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a small city nestled by the Tennessee River, is renowned for its legendary recording studios, where countless music icons created hits. This Lauderdale County city has a population of around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 17,501, Muscle Shoals has a total crime rate of 3,171.3 per 100,000 residents.