Is Appleton or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Appleton is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 55/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 61% lower. Appleton has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Appleton has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 35.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Appleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Appleton, WI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Appleton | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,548.5 | 4,012.2 | -2,463.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 201.6 | 539.9 | -338.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 17.5 | -14.8 |
| Rape Rate | 52.4 | 58.8 | -6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.4 | 335.3 | -325.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 137.1 | 128.3 | +8.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,346.9 | 3,472.4 | -2,125.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 153.2 | 294.8 | -141.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,130.5 | 2,318.8 | -1,188.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 63.2 | 858.9 | -795.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Appleton or Chicago safer?
Appleton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,549 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Appleton has a violent crime rate of 201.6 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Appleton has lower violent crime.
About Appleton, WI
Appleton, a Fox Cities community along the Fox River in Northeast Wisconsin, is known for being Harry Houdini's childhood home. This city of over 75,000 residents is a regional hub for healthcare and paper manufacturing. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 74,394, Appleton has a total crime rate of 1,548.5 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.