Is Chatham or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chatham is safer than Houston (Safety Score 89/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 597 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 89% lower. Chatham has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chatham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 159.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chatham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chatham, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chatham | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 597.5 | 5,441.7 | -4,844.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 103.0 | 1,148.3 | -1,045.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 20.6 | 73.0 | -52.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.4 | 787.4 | -704.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 494.4 | 4,293.5 | -3,799.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 89.3 | 644.8 | -555.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 391.4 | 2,945.7 | -2,554.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 13.7 | 703.0 | -689.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chatham or Houston safer?
Chatham is safer with a total crime rate of 597 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chatham has a violent crime rate of 103.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Chatham has lower violent crime.
About Chatham, IL
Chatham, a village south of Springfield, Illinois, was founded in 1836. It's home to roughly 14,000 residents, primarily families and commuters. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 14,562, Chatham has a total crime rate of 597.5 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.