Is Houston or Sterling Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sterling Heights is safer than Houston (Safety Score 64/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 77% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sterling Heights has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 17.4x 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
Sterling Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Sterling Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,273.1 | +4,168.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 230.7 | +917.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.8 | +13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 30.8 | +42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 15.0 | +259.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 182.6 | +604.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,042.4 | +3,251.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 76.7 | +568.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 789.1 | +2,156.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 176.6 | +526.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Sterling Heights safer?
Sterling Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,273 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Sterling Heights has 230.7. Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights, MI
Sterling Heights, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, is the second-largest city in Macomb County. Once a farming community known for its rhubarb, it now boasts a diverse population exceeding 130,000 residents. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 133,058, Sterling Heights has a total crime rate of 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents.