Is Crystal Lake or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Crystal Lake is safer than Houston (Safety Score 66/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 78% lower. Crystal Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Crystal Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 56.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Crystal Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Crystal Lake, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Crystal Lake | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,207.6 | 5,441.7 | -4,234.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 104.7 | 1,148.3 | -1,043.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 48.7 | 73.0 | -24.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 4.9 | 274.0 | -269.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 51.1 | 787.4 | -736.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,102.9 | 4,293.5 | -3,190.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 102.3 | 644.8 | -542.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 927.6 | 2,945.7 | -2,018.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.0 | 703.0 | -630.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crystal Lake or Houston safer?
Crystal Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Crystal Lake has a violent crime rate of 104.7 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Crystal Lake has lower violent crime.
About Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, Illinois, a city named for its spring-fed lake, is home to over 40,000 residents in McHenry County. It was originally two separate communities, Nunda and Crystal Lake, before consolidating. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 41,074, Crystal Lake has a total crime rate of 1,207.6 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.