Is Barnstable or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Barnstable is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 66/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 70% lower. Barnstable has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Barnstable has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 51.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barnstable — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barnstable, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barnstable | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,195.8 | 4,012.2 | -2,816.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.4 | 539.9 | -129.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 17.5 | -15.5 |
| Rape Rate | 64.8 | 58.8 | +6.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.7 | 335.3 | -317.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.0 | 128.3 | +197.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 785.4 | 3,472.4 | -2,687.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 131.6 | 294.8 | -163.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 581.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,737.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 72.7 | 858.9 | -786.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnstable or Chicago safer?
Barnstable is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barnstable has a violent crime rate of 410.4 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Barnstable has lower violent crime.
About Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, the largest community on Cape Cod, is a historic town of villages including Hyannis, a major transportation hub. Its population of over 45,000 makes it the most populous municipality in Barnstable County. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 50,928, Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1,195.8 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.