Is Houston or Poplar Bluff Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Poplar Bluff is safer than Houston (Safety Score 99/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 248 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 robbery, where Poplar Bluff has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 144.0x 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
Poplar Bluff — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Poplar Bluff, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Poplar Bluff | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 248.3 | +5,193.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 37.3 | +1,111.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 12.4 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 12.4 | +60.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 0.0 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 12.4 | +774.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 211.1 | +4,082.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 31.0 | +613.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 149.0 | +2,796.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 31.0 | +672.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Poplar Bluff safer?
Poplar Bluff is safer with a total crime rate of 248 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 Poplar Bluff has 37.3. Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff, MO
Nestled in the Ozark Foothills, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was once a major lumber producer, shipping timber via the Black River. Today, it serves as a regional hub for southeast Missouri, with a population around 17,000. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 16,108, Poplar Bluff has a total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 residents.