Is Albany or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Albany is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 30/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,432 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 39% lower. Albany has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Albany has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 39.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albany — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albany, GA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albany | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,431.7 | 4,012.2 | -1,580.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 823.7 | 539.9 | +283.8 |
| Murder Rate | 25.7 | 17.5 | +8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.9 | 58.8 | +0.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.9 | 335.3 | -282.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 686.1 | 128.3 | +557.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,608.0 | 3,472.4 | -1,864.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 205.5 | 294.8 | -89.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,236.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,082.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 166.2 | 858.9 | -692.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albany or Chicago safer?
Albany is safer with a total crime rate of 2,432 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albany has a violent crime rate of 823.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Albany, GA
Albany, Georgia, founded on the Flint River, is the county seat of Dougherty County. This southwestern Georgia city, birthplace of Ray Charles, has a population of around 70,000. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 66,169, Albany has a total crime rate of 2,431.7 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.