Is Arlington Heights or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington Heights is safer than Houston (Safety Score 77/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 930 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 83% lower. Arlington Heights has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington Heights has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 31.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington Heights, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington Heights | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 930.0 | 5,441.7 | -4,511.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 50.3 | 1,148.3 | -1,098.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 13.6 | 73.0 | -59.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.9 | 274.0 | -263.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 25.8 | 787.4 | -761.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 879.7 | 4,293.5 | -3,413.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 160.5 | 644.8 | -484.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 643.1 | 2,945.7 | -2,302.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 76.1 | 703.0 | -626.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington Heights or Houston safer?
Arlington Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 930 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington Heights has a violent crime rate of 50.3 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Arlington Heights has lower violent crime.
About Arlington Heights, IL
Arlington Heights, a large village in Cook County, is home to the former Arlington Park thoroughbred racetrack. This Chicago suburb features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 73,545, Arlington Heights has a total crime rate of 930.0 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.