Is Bend or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bend is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 55/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 62% lower. Bend has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 24.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 4,012.2 | -2,481.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 539.9 | -371.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 17.5 | -14.7 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 58.8 | -36.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 335.3 | -312.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 128.3 | -7.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 3,472.4 | -2,110.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 294.8 | -165.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,168.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 858.9 | -776.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or Chicago safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 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.