Is Belmont or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belmont is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 58/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,448 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 64% lower. Belmont has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Belmont has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 101.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belmont — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belmont, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belmont | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,448.3 | 4,012.2 | -2,563.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 164.8 | 539.9 | -375.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 17.5 | -13.6 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 58.8 | -39.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.5 | 335.3 | -300.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 107.3 | 128.3 | -21.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,283.6 | 3,472.4 | -2,188.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 118.8 | 294.8 | -176.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,053.7 | 2,318.8 | -1,265.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.1 | 858.9 | -747.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belmont or Chicago safer?
Belmont is safer with a total crime rate of 1,448 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belmont has a violent crime rate of 164.8 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Belmont has lower violent crime.
About Belmont, CA
Belmont, California, a San Francisco Peninsula city, was once part of Rancho de las Pulgas. Home to Notre Dame de Namur University, it's primarily a residential community with a diverse population. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 26,099, Belmont has a total crime rate of 1,448.3 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.