Is Beaufort or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Beaufort (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,276 for Beaufort — 6% lower. Beaufort has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Beaufort has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 189.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Beaufort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beaufort, SC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beaufort | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,276.4 | 4,012.2 | +264.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.2 | 539.9 | +163.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 17.5 | -10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 58.8 | -8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 107.6 | 335.3 | -227.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 531.0 | 128.3 | +402.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,573.2 | 3,472.4 | +100.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 322.9 | 294.8 | +28.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,078.1 | 2,318.8 | +759.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.2 | 858.9 | -686.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,276 for Beaufort — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beaufort has a violent crime rate of 703.2 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Beaufort, SC
Beaufort, South Carolina, a historic coastal city founded in 1711, is the second-oldest city in the state. Situated on Port Royal Island, it's home to a diverse population of roughly 13,000 residents. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 13,937, Beaufort has a total crime rate of 4,276.4 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.