Is Charleston or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charleston is safer than Houston (Safety Score 36/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 60% lower. Charleston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charleston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 136.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charleston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charleston, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charleston | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,152.5 | 5,441.7 | -3,289.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.7 | 1,148.3 | -788.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 123.8 | 73.0 | +50.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.9 | 274.0 | -268.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 230.0 | 787.4 | -557.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 4,293.5 | -2,500.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 607.4 | 644.8 | -37.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,114.6 | 2,945.7 | -1,831.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 70.8 | 703.0 | -632.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston or Houston safer?
Charleston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,153 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charleston has a violent crime rate of 359.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Charleston has lower violent crime.
About Charleston, IL
Home to Eastern Illinois University, Charleston is a Central Illinois city with a population around 17,000. It's known for its historic town square and as the site of one of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 16,957, Charleston has a total crime rate of 2,152.5 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.