Is Des Plaines or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Plaines is safer than Houston (Safety Score 64/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 77% lower. Des Plaines has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Des Plaines has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 40.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Plaines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Plaines, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Plaines | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,260.1 | 5,441.7 | -4,181.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.6 | 1,148.3 | -1,027.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 73.0 | -53.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.5 | 274.0 | -249.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 76.9 | 787.4 | -710.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 4,293.5 | -3,154.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 417.7 | 644.8 | -227.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 601.2 | 2,945.7 | -2,344.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.6 | 703.0 | -582.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Plaines or Houston safer?
Des Plaines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Plaines has a violent crime rate of 120.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Des Plaines has lower violent crime.
About Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 57,218, Des Plaines has a total crime rate of 1,260.1 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.