Is Champaign or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Champaign is safer than Houston (Safety Score 23/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,781 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 49% lower. Champaign has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Champaign has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 25.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Champaign — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Champaign, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Champaign | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,780.9 | 5,441.7 | -2,660.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 501.9 | 1,148.3 | -646.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 13.8 | -8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 68.2 | 73.0 | -4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.7 | 274.0 | -182.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 336.4 | 787.4 | -450.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,279.1 | 4,293.5 | -2,014.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 574.5 | 644.8 | -70.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.1 | 2,945.7 | -1,473.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 232.5 | 703.0 | -470.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Champaign or Houston safer?
Champaign is safer with a total crime rate of 2,781 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Champaign has a violent crime rate of 501.9 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Champaign has lower violent crime.
About Champaign, IL
Champaign, Illinois, home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a mid-sized city in East Central Illinois. Its flat prairie landscape and highly educated populace reflect its agricultural roots and academic focus. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 89,466, Champaign has a total crime rate of 2,780.9 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.