Is Arlington or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 21/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,896 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 28% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Arlington has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, TX
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,896.4 | 4,012.2 | -1,115.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.7 | 539.9 | -56.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 17.5 | -13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 58.8 | +12.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.0 | 335.3 | -275.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 347.4 | 128.3 | +219.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,412.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,059.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 263.9 | 294.8 | -30.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,737.7 | 2,318.8 | -581.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 411.2 | 858.9 | -447.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Chicago safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,896 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 483.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, TX
Arlington, Texas, a large city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is home to AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas. It is the largest city in the state without a major public transit system. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 399,840, Arlington has a total crime rate of 2,896.4 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.