Is Abilene or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Abilene is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 45% lower. Abilene has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Abilene has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 20.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Abilene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Abilene, TX
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Abilene | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,187.7 | 4,012.2 | -1,824.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 424.5 | 539.9 | -115.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 17.5 | -12.9 |
| Rape Rate | 70.6 | 58.8 | +11.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.1 | 335.3 | -289.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 303.2 | 128.3 | +174.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,763.2 | 3,472.4 | -1,709.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 320.1 | 294.8 | +25.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,304.9 | 2,318.8 | -1,013.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 138.2 | 858.9 | -720.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abilene or Chicago safer?
Abilene is safer with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Abilene has a violent crime rate of 424.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Abilene has lower violent crime.
About Abilene, TX
Abilene, a West Texas city historically known as a railroad town and home to Dyess Air Force Base, sits at the intersection of I-20 and US-83/84. Its population is approximately 125,000. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 130,275, Abilene has a total crime rate of 2,187.7 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.