Is Houston or St. Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, St. Charles is safer than Houston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 81% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Charles has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 32.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Houston, TX?
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
St. Charles, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | St. Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,023.0 | +4,418.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 135.8 | +1,012.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 4.2 | +9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 18.0 | +55.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 18.0 | +256.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 94.3 | +693.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 887.1 | +3,406.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 54.1 | +590.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 702.8 | +2,242.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 130.3 | +572.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or St. Charles safer?
St. Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while St. Charles has 135.8. St. Charles 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 St. Charles, MO
St. Charles, Missouri, a historic city along the Missouri River, served as the first state capital. It's the county seat of St. Charles County, a rapidly growing area in greater St. Louis. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 72,143, St. Charles has a total crime rate of 1,023.0 per 100,000 residents.