Is Ashland or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 53/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,590 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 60% 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 142.2x 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, OH
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,590.1 | 4,012.2 | -2,422.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.5 | 539.9 | -367.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 70.1 | 58.8 | +11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.0 | 335.3 | -308.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 75.5 | 128.3 | -52.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,417.6 | 3,472.4 | -2,054.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 145.5 | 294.8 | -149.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,073.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.0 | 858.9 | -831.9 |
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 1,590 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 172.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, OH
Ashland, Ohio, home to Ashland University, is a city in north-central Ohio. Situated on the Great Lakes Plain, it has a population of around 20,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 18,552, Ashland has a total crime rate of 1,590.1 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.