Is Bellefontaine or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellefontaine is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 78/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 896 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 78% lower. Bellefontaine has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellefontaine has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 187.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellefontaine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellefontaine, OH
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellefontaine | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 896.1 | 4,012.2 | -3,116.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 106.7 | 539.9 | -433.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 58.8 | -58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 106.7 | 128.3 | -21.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 789.4 | 3,472.4 | -2,683.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 64.0 | 294.8 | -230.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 668.5 | 2,318.8 | -1,650.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 56.9 | 858.9 | -802.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellefontaine or Chicago safer?
Bellefontaine is safer with a total crime rate of 896 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellefontaine has a violent crime rate of 106.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bellefontaine has lower violent crime.
About Bellefontaine, OH
Bellefontaine, Ohio, home to the first concrete street in America, is a small city in Logan County. It sits at the highest elevation in Ohio, attracting visitors to Campbell Hill. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 14,061, Bellefontaine has a total crime rate of 896.1 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.