Is Bentonville or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bentonville is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 71/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,083 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 73% lower. Bentonville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bentonville has a 99% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 43.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bentonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bentonville, AR
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bentonville | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,083.3 | 4,012.2 | -2,928.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 255.3 | 539.9 | -284.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 17.5 | -12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 37.6 | 58.8 | -21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 3.3 | 335.3 | -332.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 209.5 | 128.3 | +81.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 828.0 | 3,472.4 | -2,644.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.4 | 294.8 | -206.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 688.9 | 2,318.8 | -1,629.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 50.7 | 858.9 | -808.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bentonville or Chicago safer?
Bentonville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,083 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bentonville has a violent crime rate of 255.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bentonville has lower violent crime.
About Bentonville, AR
Bentonville, Arkansas, birthplace of Walmart, sits in the Ozark Mountains with a rapidly growing population. Its vibrant cultural scene, including Crystal Bridges Museum, attracts visitors and new residents to the Northwest Arkansas region. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 61,109, Bentonville has a total crime rate of 1,083.3 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.