Is Bakersfield or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bakersfield is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 25% lower. Bakersfield has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bakersfield has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 6.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bakersfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bakersfield | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 4,012.2 | -986.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 539.9 | +16.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 17.5 | -10.7 |
| Rape Rate | 40.9 | 58.8 | -17.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 125.7 | 335.3 | -209.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 381.4 | 128.3 | +253.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,002.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 537.6 | 294.8 | +242.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,259.0 | 2,318.8 | -1,059.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 673.1 | 858.9 | -185.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield or Chicago safer?
Bakersfield is safer with a total crime rate of 3,026 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, a city in California's Central Valley, is known for its country music heritage, the "Bakersfield Sound." It is a major agricultural and oil-producing region, with a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 416,120, Bakersfield has a total crime rate of 3,026.1 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.