Is Houston or Oak Lawn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oak Lawn is safer than Houston (Safety Score 43/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,907 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 65% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Oak Lawn has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 42.2x 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 Lawn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Oak Lawn, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Oak Lawn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,907.1 | +3,534.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 180.2 | +968.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 3.6 | +10.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 36.4 | +36.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 43.7 | +230.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 96.5 | +690.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,726.9 | +2,566.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 343.9 | +300.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,155.5 | +1,790.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 227.5 | +475.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Oak Lawn safer?
Oak Lawn is safer with a total crime rate of 1,907 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Oak Lawn has 180.2. Oak Lawn 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 Lawn, IL
Oak Lawn, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, is known for its annual fall parade. This village in Cook County is largely residential, with a diverse population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 54,953, Oak Lawn has a total crime rate of 1,907.1 per 100,000 residents.