Is Houston or Oak Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oak Forest is safer than Houston (Safety Score 91/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 527 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 90% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oak Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 89.8x 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
Oak Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Oak Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Oak Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 526.7 | +4,915.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 89.1 | +1,059.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 7.8 | +65.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 23.2 | +250.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 58.1 | +729.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 437.6 | +3,855.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 127.8 | +517.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 271.1 | +2,674.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 38.7 | +664.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Oak Forest safer?
Oak Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 527 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Oak Forest has 89.1. Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest, IL
Oak Forest, a southwest suburb of Chicago, grew around the Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County established in 1910. Its residents are primarily white, with a notable Hispanic population. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 25,823, Oak Forest has a total crime rate of 526.7 per 100,000 residents.