Is Houston or Mount Vernon Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mount Vernon is safer than Houston (Safety Score 62/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 75% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Mount Vernon has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 163.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mount Vernon — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Mount Vernon, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Mount Vernon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,343.1 | +4,098.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 254.5 | +893.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 28.3 | -14.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 99.0 | -26.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 21.2 | +252.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 99.0 | +688.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,088.7 | +3,204.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 113.1 | +531.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 940.2 | +2,005.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 35.4 | +667.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Mount Vernon safer?
Mount Vernon is safer with a total crime rate of 1,343 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Mount Vernon has 254.5. Mount Vernon has lower violent crime.
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.
About Mount Vernon, IL
Mount Vernon, Illinois, named after George Washington's estate, is a city in Jefferson County at the intersection of I-57 and I-64. Historically a railroad town, its economy now includes manufacturing and healthcare, serving a population of around 14,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 14,146, Mount Vernon has a total crime rate of 1,343.1 per 100,000 residents.