Is Decatur or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Decatur is safer than Houston (Safety Score 13/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,471 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 36% lower. Decatur has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 34.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,471.0 | 5,441.7 | -1,970.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 603.5 | 1,148.3 | -544.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 13.8 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 45.6 | 73.0 | -27.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 94.2 | 274.0 | -179.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 454.9 | 787.4 | -332.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,867.5 | 4,293.5 | -1,426.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 927.4 | 644.8 | +282.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,532.4 | 2,945.7 | -1,413.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 407.8 | 703.0 | -295.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or Houston safer?
Decatur is safer with a total crime rate of 3,471 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 603.5 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Decatur has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 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.