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Chicago vs Houston: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents vs Houston's 54 per 1,000, making Chicago 34% safer overall. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade compared to Houston's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D+

Chicago

Illinois

Overall GradeD+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC-
Crime Rate35.5/1K
Percentile20%
F

Houston

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate54/1K
Percentile2%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricChicagoHouston
Overall Crime Rate35.5/1K54/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.0900.0
Property Crime Rate2800.04500.0
Murder Rate14.114.7
Assault Rate608.5621.4
Robbery Rate120.9128.9
Burglary Rate376.8769.2
Theft Rate1938.23592.5
Vehicle Theft Rate674.0781.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Chicago is safer in 9 and Houston is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Chicago, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 19 in Houston.

Full Safety Reports

D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Houston, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Chicago vs Houston

Chicago Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low42.8°F
Annual Rain36.9"
Annual Snow36.1"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Houston Climate Overview

Annual High80°F
Annual Low60.1°F
Annual Rain47.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ChicagoHoustonHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Houston is 11°F warmer in summer than Chicago, but Chicago is 24°F colder in winter than Houston. Chicago gets 36 inches of snow annually, while Houston rarely sees any. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 37". Houston has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago safer than Houston?
As of 2026, Chicago is 34% safer overall, with a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Houston's 54. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade vs Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Chicago or Houston?
Houston has more violent crime at 900 per 100,000 residents. Chicago is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Chicago vs Houston?
Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K). Houston has 54 per 1,000 (violent: 900/100K, property: 4500/100K).
Should I move to Chicago or Houston?
From a safety perspective, Chicago has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) and Houston (pop. 2,397,315) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chicago's D+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Chicago and Houston compare for property crime?
Chicago has lower property crime at 2800 per 100K vs Houston's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs DetroitHouston vs DallasHouston vs AustinHouston vs San Antonio

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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