Is Belvidere or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belvidere is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 89/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 593 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 85% lower. Belvidere has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Belvidere has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 104.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belvidere — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belvidere, IL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belvidere | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 592.8 | 4,012.2 | -3,419.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 154.1 | 539.9 | -385.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 27.7 | 58.8 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.8 | 335.3 | -319.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 106.7 | 128.3 | -21.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 438.7 | 3,472.4 | -3,033.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 110.7 | 294.8 | -184.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 276.7 | 2,318.8 | -2,042.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 51.4 | 858.9 | -807.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belvidere or Chicago safer?
Belvidere is safer with a total crime rate of 593 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belvidere has a violent crime rate of 154.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Belvidere has lower violent crime.
About Belvidere, IL
Belvidere, Illinois, the "City of Murals," sits along the Kishwaukee River in Boone County. This former agricultural hub is home to a significant Hispanic population and a large Chrysler assembly plant. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 25,302, Belvidere has a total crime rate of 592.8 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.