Is Ashland or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 82/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 81% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 139.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 4,012.2 | -3,238.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 539.9 | -444.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 58.8 | -48.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 335.3 | -330.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 128.3 | -48.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 3,472.4 | -2,793.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 294.8 | -24.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 2,318.8 | -2,085.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 858.9 | -683.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Chicago safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.