Is Houston or Rock Island Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rock Island is safer than Houston (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,259 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 40% lower. Houston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rock Island has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 64.7x 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
Rock Island — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston, TX
Rock Island, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Houston | Rock Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,441.7 | 3,258.8 | +2,182.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,148.3 | 544.1 | +604.2 |
| Murder Rate | 13.8 | 5.6 | +8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 73.0 | 11.2 | +61.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 274.0 | 14.0 | +260.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 787.4 | 513.4 | +274.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,293.5 | 2,714.8 | +1,578.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 644.8 | 920.7 | -276.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,945.7 | 1,155.1 | +1,790.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 703.0 | 638.9 | +64.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston or Rock Island safer?
Rock Island is safer with a total crime rate of 3,259 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Houston has a violent crime rate of 1,148.3 per 100K while Rock Island has 544.1. Rock Island 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 Rock Island, IL
Rock Island, a city along the Mississippi River, is part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area. It's home to Augustana College and has a rich history as a manufacturing and transportation hub. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 35,841, Rock Island has a total crime rate of 3,258.8 per 100,000 residents.