Is Houston or Norwalk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norwalk is safer than Houston (Safety Score 98/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 289 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 95% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwalk has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 148.8x 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
Norwalk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Norwalk, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Norwalk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 288.7 | +5,153.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 109.1 | +1,039.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 25.7 | +47.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 83.4 | +704.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 179.6 | +4,113.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 0.0 | +644.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 179.6 | +2,766.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 0.0 | +703.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Norwalk safer?
Norwalk is safer with a total crime rate of 289 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Norwalk has 109.1. Norwalk 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 Norwalk, IA
Nestled in Polk County, Norwalk is a growing suburban community south of Des Moines. It's home to the annual Norwalk Music Fest, celebrating local talent. The population is predominantly white, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 15,588, Norwalk has a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents.