Is Houston or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than Houston (Safety Score 84/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 49.2x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 725.8 | +4,715.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 91.3 | +1,057.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 10.6 | +62.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 2.1 | +271.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 76.4 | +711.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 634.6 | +3,658.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 82.8 | +562.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 411.7 | +2,534.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 140.1 | +562.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.