Is Houston or Park Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Park Forest is safer than Houston (Safety Score 47/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,791 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 67% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Park Forest has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 113.2x 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
Park Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Park Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Park Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 1,791.4 | +3,650.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 283.1 | +865.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 14.6 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 24.4 | +48.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 48.8 | +225.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 195.3 | +592.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 1,508.3 | +2,785.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 478.4 | +166.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 585.7 | +2,359.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 444.2 | +258.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Park Forest safer?
Park Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 1,791 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Park Forest has 283.1. Park 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 Park Forest, IL
Park Forest, a post-WWII planned community, is located in southern Cook County. It was one of the first suburbs designed with pedestrian-friendly green spaces and a cohesive town center. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 20,487, Park Forest has a total crime rate of 1,791.4 per 100,000 residents.