Is Carbondale or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carbondale is safer than Houston (Safety Score 5/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,690 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 14% lower. Carbondale has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carbondale has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 107.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carbondale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carbondale, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carbondale | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,689.7 | 5,441.7 | -752.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,004.9 | 1,148.3 | -143.3 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 13.8 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 237.3 | 73.0 | +164.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 111.7 | 274.0 | -162.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 646.7 | 787.4 | -140.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.8 | 4,293.5 | -608.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,093.3 | 644.8 | +448.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,242.5 | 2,945.7 | -703.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 348.9 | 703.0 | -354.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbondale or Houston safer?
Carbondale is safer with a total crime rate of 4,690 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carbondale has a violent crime rate of 1,004.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Carbondale has lower violent crime.
About Carbondale, IL
Nestled in Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a university town, home to Southern Illinois University. Its early development was tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, and it's surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,494, Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4,689.7 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.