Is Berkeley or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Springfield is safer than Berkeley (Safety Score 2/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,813 per 100,000 versus 5,869 for Berkeley — 1% lower. Berkeley has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Berkeley has a 29% lower rate.
Berkeley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA
Springfield, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berkeley | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 5,812.5 | +56.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 901.2 | -261.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 8.0 | -2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 106.3 | -60.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 186.5 | 134.0 | +52.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 652.9 | -252.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 4,911.4 | +317.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.0 | 1,524.6 | -863.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,655.9 | 2,813.4 | +842.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 912.3 | 573.4 | +338.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley or Springfield safer?
Springfield is safer with a total crime rate of 5,813 per 100K vs 5,869 for Berkeley — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100K while Springfield has 901.2. Berkeley has lower violent crime.
About Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, California, home to a world-renowned university and the Free Speech Movement, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This diverse city's population is highly educated, with a significant proportion holding graduate degrees. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 117,400, Berkeley has a total crime rate of 5,868.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Springfield, IL
Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and home to Abraham Lincoln's presidential library, is centrally located within Sangamon County. This Midwestern city's population is predominantly White, with a notable Black community. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 111,965, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,812.5 per 100,000 residents.