Is Bay City or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bay City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 30/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,432 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 39% lower. Bay City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bay City has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 82.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bay City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bay City, MI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bay City | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,432.0 | 4,012.2 | -1,580.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 564.1 | 539.9 | +24.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.3 | 17.5 | -11.2 |
| Rape Rate | 106.6 | 58.8 | +47.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.5 | 335.3 | -300.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 416.8 | 128.3 | +288.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,867.9 | 3,472.4 | -1,604.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 247.6 | 294.8 | -47.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,388.4 | 2,318.8 | -930.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 231.9 | 858.9 | -627.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bay City or Chicago safer?
Bay City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,432 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bay City has a violent crime rate of 564.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Bay City, MI
Bay City, Michigan, a port city on the Saginaw River near Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay, was once a major lumbering center. Its population is approximately 32,000, with a median age of around 40. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 31,908, Bay City has a total crime rate of 2,432.0 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.