Is Beckley or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Beckley (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 8,517 for Beckley — 53% lower. Beckley has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Beckley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 161.2x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Beckley, WV?
Beckley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Beckley, WV
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Beckley | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,517.1 | 4,012.2 | +4,504.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 604.9 | 539.9 | +65.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 116.1 | 58.8 | +57.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.0 | 335.3 | -280.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 433.8 | 128.3 | +305.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,912.3 | 3,472.4 | +4,439.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 879.8 | 294.8 | +585.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 6,861.4 | 2,318.8 | +4,542.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 171.1 | 858.9 | -687.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beckley or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 8,517 for Beckley — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Beckley has a violent crime rate of 604.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Beckley, WV
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Beckley, West Virginia, is a historic coal mining town. Home to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, it serves as a regional hub for southern West Virginia. Its population is approximately 16,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 16,367, Beckley has a total crime rate of 8,517.1 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.