Is Dekalb or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dekalb is safer than Houston (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 47% lower. Dekalb has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dekalb has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 57.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dekalb — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dekalb, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dekalb | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,907.4 | 5,441.7 | -2,534.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.0 | 1,148.3 | -755.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 151.7 | 73.0 | +78.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 274.0 | -239.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 206.4 | 787.4 | -580.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.4 | 4,293.5 | -1,779.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.2 | 644.8 | -306.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,124.0 | 2,945.7 | -821.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 52.2 | 703.0 | -650.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dekalb or Houston safer?
Dekalb is safer with a total crime rate of 2,907 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dekalb has a violent crime rate of 393.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Dekalb has lower violent crime.
About Dekalb, IL
DeKalb, Illinois, home to Northern Illinois University, is a city in DeKalb County, about 65 miles west of Chicago. It's known as the "Barb City" due to Joseph Glidden's invention of barbed wire here. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 40,208, Dekalb has a total crime rate of 2,907.4 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.