Is Austin or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Austin is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 47/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,793 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 55% lower. Austin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Austin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 100.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Austin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Austin, MN
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Austin | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,792.8 | 4,012.2 | -2,219.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 191.1 | 539.9 | -348.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 42.1 | 58.8 | -16.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.9 | 335.3 | -312.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 126.2 | 128.3 | -2.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,601.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,870.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 168.2 | 294.8 | -126.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,315.0 | 2,318.8 | -1,003.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.5 | 858.9 | -740.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Chicago safer?
Austin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,793 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Austin has a violent crime rate of 191.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Austin has lower violent crime.
About Austin, MN
Austin, Minnesota, the "Spam Town USA" and home of Hormel Foods, is a small city in Mower County, near the Iowa border. Its population is around 25,000, with a notable manufacturing workforce. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 26,160, Austin has a total crime rate of 1,792.8 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.