Is Cary or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than Houston (Safety Score 92/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 488 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 91% lower. Cary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cary has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 128.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 487.9 | 5,441.7 | -4,953.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 11.1 | 1,148.3 | -1,137.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 73.0 | -61.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 787.4 | -787.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 476.9 | 4,293.5 | -3,816.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 99.8 | 644.8 | -545.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 349.3 | 2,945.7 | -2,596.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.7 | 703.0 | -675.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or Houston safer?
Cary is safer with a total crime rate of 488 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 11.1 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, IL
Cary, Illinois, a village in McHenry County, is known for its annual "Merry Cary Holiday Parade." Situated along the Fox River, it's a predominantly suburban community with a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 18,035, Cary has a total crime rate of 487.9 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.