Is Barstow or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Barstow is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,751 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 6% lower. Barstow has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Barstow has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 106.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barstow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barstow, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barstow | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,751.5 | 4,012.2 | -260.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,112.1 | 539.9 | +572.3 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 17.5 | -13.4 |
| Rape Rate | 88.7 | 58.8 | +29.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 266.0 | 335.3 | -69.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 749.5 | 128.3 | +621.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,639.3 | 3,472.4 | -833.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 656.8 | 294.8 | +362.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,386.2 | 2,318.8 | -932.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.4 | 858.9 | -262.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barstow or Chicago safer?
Barstow is safer with a total crime rate of 3,751 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barstow has a violent crime rate of 1,112.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Barstow, CA
Barstow, a Mojave Desert city, is a historic railroad town and home to Casa del Desierto, a Harvey House hotel. Situated at the junction of I-15 and I-40, it serves as a crucial transportation hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 24,817, Barstow has a total crime rate of 3,751.5 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.