Is Alton or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alton is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,640 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 33% lower. Alton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Alton has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 93.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alton, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alton | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,639.8 | 5,441.7 | -1,801.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 971.4 | 1,148.3 | -176.8 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 13.8 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 137.1 | 73.0 | +64.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 116.9 | 274.0 | -157.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 697.3 | 787.4 | -90.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,668.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,625.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 943.2 | 644.8 | +298.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,487.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,458.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 237.8 | 703.0 | -465.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alton or Houston safer?
Alton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,640 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alton has a violent crime rate of 971.4 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Alton has lower violent crime.
About Alton, IL
Alton, Illinois, a river town on the Mississippi, is known for its limestone bluffs and as the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate. Located just north of St. Louis, it has a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 24,809, Alton has a total crime rate of 3,639.8 per 100,000 residents.
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.