Is Freeport or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Freeport is safer than Houston (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,769 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 67% lower. Freeport has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Freeport has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 101.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Freeport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Freeport, IL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Freeport | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,769.5 | 5,441.7 | -3,672.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 362.6 | 1,148.3 | -785.6 |
| Murder Rate | 13.1 | 13.8 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 73.0 | +5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 43.7 | 274.0 | -230.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.2 | 787.4 | -560.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,406.9 | 4,293.5 | -2,886.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 402.0 | 644.8 | -242.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 913.1 | 2,945.7 | -2,032.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.8 | 703.0 | -611.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Freeport or Houston safer?
Freeport is safer with a total crime rate of 1,769 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Freeport has a violent crime rate of 362.6 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Freeport has lower violent crime.
About Freeport, IL
Freeport, "Pretzel City, USA," is a Stephenson County seat in northwest Illinois. Its historic downtown features the site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate, reflecting its agricultural roots. The city's population is around 23,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 22,888, Freeport has a total crime rate of 1,769.5 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.