Is Centralia or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Centralia is safer than Houston (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,243 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 40% lower. Centralia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Centralia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 197.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Centralia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Centralia, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Centralia | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,243.1 | 5,441.7 | -2,198.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 663.9 | 1,148.3 | -484.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 59.6 | 73.0 | -13.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.6 | 274.0 | -231.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 561.8 | 787.4 | -225.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,579.2 | 4,293.5 | -1,714.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 825.7 | 644.8 | +180.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,473.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 280.9 | 703.0 | -422.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centralia or Houston safer?
Centralia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,243 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Centralia has a violent crime rate of 663.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Centralia has lower violent crime.
About Centralia, IL
Centralia, Illinois, a city in Marion County, was historically a significant railroad town. Its population has steadily declined since the mid-20th century. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 11,748, Centralia has a total crime rate of 3,243.1 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.