Is Houston or River Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, River Forest is safer than Houston (Safety Score 27/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 53% lower. Houston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where River Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 209.3x 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
River Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
River Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | River Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 2,563.2 | +2,878.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 90.3 | +1,058.0 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 0.0 | +13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 0.0 | +73.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 45.1 | +228.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 45.1 | +742.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,472.9 | +1,820.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 577.6 | +67.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,841.2 | +1,104.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 54.2 | +648.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or River Forest safer?
River Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 2,563 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while River Forest has 90.3. River 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 River Forest, IL
River Forest is an affluent, tree-lined Chicago suburb known for its historic architecture, including numerous Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Situated along the Des Plaines River, it boasts a highly educated population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 11,080, River Forest has a total crime rate of 2,563.2 per 100,000 residents.