Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Chicago, IL has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,723 of 2,971 US cities and #180 of 184 in Illinois.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Chicago, Illinois Safe?
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene.
Chicago has a safety score of 8/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Chicago ranks #180 out of 184 cities in Illinois and #2723 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Chicago is robbery, at 335.3 per 100K — 3.6x the national average. Conversely, aggravated assault is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Chicago's total crime rate decreased by 0.7%, with violent crime declining 11%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Chicago Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 14,245 | 539.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 461 | 17.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 1,551 | 58.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 8,847 | 335.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 3,386 | 128.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 91,626 | 3,472.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 7,778 | 294.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 61,185 | 2,318.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 22,663 | 858.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chicago vs Illinois Average
How does Chicago's crime rate compare to the Illinois state average?
| Metric | Chicago | Illinois Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 356.4 | +51.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,126.5 | +63.3% |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.9 | +122.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,482.9 | +61.6% |
Chicago Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Chicago, Illinois.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,638,698 | 4,012.2 | 539.9 | 3,472.4 |
| 2023 | 2,628,298 | 4,038.7 | 606.8 | 3,431.9 |
| 2022 | 2,652,124 | 3,672.9 | 540.0 | 3,133.0 |
| 2021 | 2,721,948 | 1,401.0 | 285.4 | 1,115.5 |
| 2020 | 2,693,598 | 3,197.0 | 986.9 | 2,210.1 |
| 2019 | 2,707,064 | 3,925.8 | 943.2 | 2,982.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago, Illinois safe?
Chicago has a safety score of 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Chicago is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Chicago, Illinois?
According to FBI data for 2024, Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,472.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Chicago compare to the national average?
Chicago's total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 2,638,698 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Chicago?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Chicago include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Chicago safe to visit?
Like any city, Chicago has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.