Is Amsterdam or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Amsterdam is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 62/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 67% lower. Amsterdam has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Amsterdam has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 146.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Amsterdam — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Amsterdam, NY
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Amsterdam | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,334.5 | 4,012.2 | -2,677.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.7 | 539.9 | -440.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.5 | 17.5 | -11.9 |
| Rape Rate | 5.5 | 58.8 | -53.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.6 | 335.3 | -318.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 72.0 | 128.3 | -56.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,234.8 | 3,472.4 | -2,237.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 144.0 | 294.8 | -150.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,041.0 | 2,318.8 | -1,277.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 49.8 | 858.9 | -809.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amsterdam or Chicago safer?
Amsterdam is safer with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Amsterdam has a violent crime rate of 99.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Amsterdam has lower violent crime.
About Amsterdam, NY
Amsterdam, NY, a city along the Mohawk River, was once a rug-manufacturing hub. This upstate New York community in Montgomery County has a diverse population. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 18,059, Amsterdam has a total crime rate of 1,334.5 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.