Is Houston or Palatine Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palatine is safer than Houston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,010 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 81% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Palatine has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 36.3x 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
Palatine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Palatine, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Palatine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,010.0 | +4,431.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 68.8 | +1,079.5 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 1.6 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 17.2 | +55.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 9.4 | +264.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 39.1 | +748.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 941.2 | +3,352.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 211.1 | +433.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 666.0 | +2,279.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 64.1 | +638.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Palatine safer?
Palatine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,010 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Palatine has 68.8. Palatine 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 Palatine, IL
Palatine, a diverse northwest Chicago suburb, grew from a stop on the Chicago and North Western Railway. The village is home to over 68,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 63,960, Palatine has a total crime rate of 1,010.0 per 100,000 residents.