Is Bangor or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Bangor (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,399 for Bangor — 9% lower. Bangor has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bangor has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 83.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Bangor, ME?
Bangor — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bangor, ME
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bangor | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,399.0 | 4,012.2 | +386.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 161.4 | 539.9 | -378.5 |
| Murder Rate | 15.8 | 17.5 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 22.2 | 58.8 | -36.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.6 | 335.3 | -284.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 72.8 | 128.3 | -55.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,237.6 | 3,472.4 | +765.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 310.2 | 294.8 | +15.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,842.0 | 2,318.8 | +1,523.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 85.5 | 858.9 | -773.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bangor or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,399 for Bangor — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bangor has a violent crime rate of 161.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bangor has lower violent crime.
About Bangor, ME
Bangor, a city on the Penobscot River, is the third most populous in Maine. Known as the birthplace of Stephen King, it serves as a regional hub for healthcare and education in eastern Maine. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 31,598, Bangor has a total crime rate of 4,399.0 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.