Is Edwardsville or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Edwardsville is safer than Houston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 713 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 87% lower. Edwardsville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Edwardsville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 87.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Edwardsville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Edwardsville, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Edwardsville | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 712.6 | 5,441.7 | -4,729.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 30.0 | 1,148.3 | -1,118.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.8 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 73.0 | -73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 274.0 | -274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 30.0 | 787.4 | -757.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 682.6 | 4,293.5 | -3,610.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 176.3 | 644.8 | -468.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 465.1 | 2,945.7 | -2,480.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 41.3 | 703.0 | -661.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edwardsville or Houston safer?
Edwardsville is safer with a total crime rate of 713 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Edwardsville has a violent crime rate of 30.0 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Edwardsville has lower violent crime.
About Edwardsville, IL
Edwardsville, Illinois, a St. Louis suburb, is home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Settled in 1805, this county seat boasts a population of over 25,000 residents. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 26,663, Edwardsville has a total crime rate of 712.6 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.