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Alton, IL vs Chicago, IL Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Alton crime rate · Chicago crime rate

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Is Alton, IL or Chicago, IL Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Alton, IL is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,640 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 9% lower. Alton has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Alton has a 65% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 106.4x 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 SAFER than Alton, IL?

Alton — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Alton, IL

Alton, IL
Safety Score 12/100
Coverage 24,809
Total Crime Rate 3,639.8
Category Wins 5/7

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 2/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Alton Chicago Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,639.8 4,012.2 -372.4
Violent Crime Rate 971.4 539.9 +431.6
Murder Rate 12.1 17.5 -5.4
Rape Rate 137.1 58.8 +78.3
Robbery Rate 116.9 335.3 -218.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 697.3 128.3 +569.0
Property Crime Rate 2,668.4 3,472.4 -804.0
Burglary Rate 943.2 294.8 +648.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,487.4 2,318.8 -831.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 237.8 858.9 -621.1

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Alton, IL to Chicago, IL?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alton or Chicago safer?

Alton, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 3,640 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 9% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Alton has a violent crime rate of 971.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.

About Alton, IL

Alton, Illinois, a river town on the Mississippi, is known for its limestone bluffs and as the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate. Located just north of St. Louis, it has a population of around 25,000. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 24,809, Alton has a total crime rate of 3,639.8 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.

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