Is Bellingham or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,108 for Bellingham — 2% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bellingham has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 27.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, WA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,107.9 | 4,012.2 | +95.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 351.0 | 539.9 | -188.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 17.5 | -15.4 |
| Rape Rate | 20.9 | 58.8 | -37.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.3 | 335.3 | -258.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 249.7 | 128.3 | +121.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,756.9 | 3,472.4 | +284.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 491.0 | 294.8 | +196.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,113.3 | 2,318.8 | +794.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 152.5 | 858.9 | -706.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,108 for Bellingham — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 351.0 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, a city of 92,000 nestled between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene and is home to Western Washington University. Its port city history is evident in its revitalized waterfront. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 95,717, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 4,107.9 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.