Is Bellevue or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bellevue is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,479 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 13% lower. Bellevue has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellevue has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 17.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellevue — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellevue, WA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellevue | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,479.4 | 4,012.2 | -532.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 139.9 | 539.9 | -399.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 17.5 | -16.8 |
| Rape Rate | 9.9 | 58.8 | -48.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.8 | 335.3 | -284.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 77.2 | 128.3 | -51.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,339.5 | 3,472.4 | -132.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 362.3 | 294.8 | +67.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,636.6 | 2,318.8 | +317.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 340.6 | 858.9 | -518.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellevue or Chicago safer?
Bellevue is safer with a total crime rate of 3,479 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellevue has a violent crime rate of 139.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bellevue has lower violent crime.
About Bellevue, WA
Bellevue, "Beautiful View" in French, began as a logging town and now boasts a vibrant tech industry. Situated across Lake Washington from Seattle, it's a rapidly growing city with a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 151,520, Bellevue has a total crime rate of 3,479.4 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.