Is Bennington or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bennington is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 22/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,855 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 29% lower. Bennington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bennington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 174.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bennington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bennington, VT
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bennington | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,855.3 | 4,012.2 | -1,157.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 389.1 | 539.9 | -150.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 58.8 | -52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.8 | 335.3 | -315.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 362.7 | 128.3 | +234.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,466.2 | 3,472.4 | -1,006.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 217.6 | 294.8 | -77.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,202.4 | 2,318.8 | -116.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 46.2 | 858.9 | -812.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bennington or Chicago safer?
Bennington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,855 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bennington has a violent crime rate of 389.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bennington has lower violent crime.
About Bennington, VT
Nestled in the Green Mountains, Bennington is a historic town known for the Battle of Bennington monument. It's home to a small, primarily white population of around 15,000 residents. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 15,165, Bennington has a total crime rate of 2,855.3 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.