Is Houston or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottawa is safer than Houston (Safety Score 50/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 69% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 123.9x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Ottawa, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,682.5 | +3,759.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 187.0 | +961.3 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 64.1 | +8.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 5.3 | +268.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 117.5 | +669.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,495.6 | +2,797.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 288.4 | +356.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,116.3 | +1,829.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 90.8 | +612.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Ottawa safer?
Ottawa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Ottawa has 187.0. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 per 100,000 residents.