Is Aiken or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Aiken (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,527 for Aiken — 11% lower. Aiken has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Aiken has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 79.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Aiken, SC?
Aiken — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aiken, SC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aiken | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,527.3 | 4,012.2 | +515.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 568.9 | 539.9 | +29.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.0 | 17.5 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 57.2 | 58.8 | -1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 335.3 | -275.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 439.5 | 128.3 | +311.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,958.3 | 3,472.4 | +486.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.2 | 294.8 | +45.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,404.5 | 2,318.8 | +1,085.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 213.7 | 858.9 | -645.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aiken or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,527 for Aiken — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aiken has a violent crime rate of 568.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Aiken, SC
Aiken, South Carolina, a city in Aiken County, is known for its historic Winter Colony estates. Located in the western part of the state, it boasts a population of over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 33,221, Aiken has a total crime rate of 4,527.3 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.