Is Aberdeen or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Aberdeen is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 50/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 58% lower. Aberdeen has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Aberdeen has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 94.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aberdeen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aberdeen, SD
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aberdeen | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,678.3 | 4,012.2 | -2,333.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.8 | 539.9 | -272.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 50.0 | 58.8 | -8.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 217.8 | 128.3 | +89.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,410.5 | 3,472.4 | -2,061.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 250.0 | 294.8 | -44.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,057.0 | 2,318.8 | -1,261.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.6 | 858.9 | -755.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen or Chicago safer?
Aberdeen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,678 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aberdeen has a violent crime rate of 267.8 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Aberdeen has lower violent crime.
About Aberdeen, SD
Aberdeen, a city named after its Scottish counterpart, is the county seat of Brown County in northeastern South Dakota. Home to Northern State University, it's a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 28,004, Aberdeen has a total crime rate of 1,678.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Chicago, IL
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. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.