Is Auburn or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Auburn (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,512 for Auburn — 11% lower. Auburn has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Auburn has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 31.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Auburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, WA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,512.4 | 4,012.2 | +500.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 544.4 | 539.9 | +4.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 17.5 | -5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 88.1 | 58.8 | +29.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.6 | 335.3 | -197.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 305.4 | 128.3 | +177.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,968.0 | 3,472.4 | +495.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 530.0 | 294.8 | +235.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,180.2 | 2,318.8 | -138.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,257.9 | 858.9 | +399.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,512 for Auburn — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 544.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Auburn, WA
Auburn, a city in King County, was once known as Slaughter, a nod to its agricultural past. Situated at the confluence of the Green and White rivers, it's a diverse community with a significant percentage of residents identifying as Asian. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 82,838, Auburn has a total crime rate of 4,512.4 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.