Is Alpena or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Alpena is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 56/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 63% lower. Alpena has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Alpena has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 261.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Alpena — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alpena, MI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alpena | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,503.8 | 4,012.2 | -2,508.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 514.4 | 539.9 | -25.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 158.3 | 58.8 | +99.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 356.2 | 128.3 | +227.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 989.3 | 3,472.4 | -2,483.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 294.8 | -96.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 732.1 | 2,318.8 | -1,586.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.4 | 858.9 | -799.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alpena or Chicago safer?
Alpena is safer with a total crime rate of 1,504 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alpena has a violent crime rate of 514.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Alpena has lower violent crime.
About Alpena, MI
Alpena, Michigan, "The Sanctuary of the Great Lakes," is a small city on Lake Huron. It's known for its limestone quarries and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 10,108, Alpena has a total crime rate of 1,503.8 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.