Is Houston or Sioux Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sioux Falls is safer than Houston (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 37% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sioux Falls has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 11.0x 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
Sioux Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Sioux Falls, SD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Sioux Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,442.0 | +1,999.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 526.7 | +621.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 6.6 | +7.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 28.0 | +45.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 47.4 | +226.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 444.7 | +342.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,915.2 | +1,378.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 303.0 | +341.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 2,174.7 | +771.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 437.6 | +265.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Sioux Falls safer?
Sioux Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 3,442 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Sioux Falls has 526.7. Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls, named for the Big Sioux River and its waterfalls, is South Dakota's largest city. It's a regional hub for healthcare and finance, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. The city's economy has historically been tied to agriculture. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 210,926, Sioux Falls has a total crime rate of 3,442.0 per 100,000 residents.