Is Downers Grove or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Downers Grove is safer than Houston (Safety Score 75/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 82% lower. Downers Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Downers Grove has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 46.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Downers Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Downers Grove, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Downers Grove | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 984.5 | 5,441.7 | -4,457.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 113.0 | 1,148.3 | -1,035.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 13.8 | -11.8 |
| Rape Rate | 36.3 | 73.0 | -36.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 274.0 | -266.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 66.6 | 787.4 | -720.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 871.6 | 4,293.5 | -3,421.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 135.2 | 644.8 | -509.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 647.6 | 2,945.7 | -2,298.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.8 | 703.0 | -614.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downers Grove or Houston safer?
Downers Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Downers Grove has a violent crime rate of 113.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Downers Grove has lower violent crime.
About Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove, a Chicago suburb, was founded by Stephen Downer in 1832. This affluent village in DuPage County is known for its historic Tivoli Theatre and proximity to major expressways. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 49,567, Downers Grove has a total crime rate of 984.5 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.