Is Houston or Prior Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than Houston (Safety Score 67/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 82.3x 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
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Prior Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Prior Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,178.9 | +4,262.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 106.5 | +1,041.7 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 3.6 | +10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 32.0 | +41.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 7.1 | +266.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 63.9 | +723.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,072.3 | +3,221.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 63.9 | +580.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 955.2 | +1,990.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 53.3 | +649.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Prior Lake safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Prior Lake has 106.5. Prior 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 Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 per 100,000 residents.