Is Bessemer or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Bessemer (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 8,867 for Bessemer — 55% lower. Bessemer has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 106.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bessemer — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bessemer, AL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bessemer | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 8,867.3 | 4,012.2 | +4,855.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,743.5 | 539.9 | +1,203.7 |
| Murder Rate | 44.5 | 17.5 | +27.0 |
| Rape Rate | 60.7 | 58.8 | +1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 161.8 | 335.3 | -173.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,476.5 | 128.3 | +1,348.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 7,123.8 | 3,472.4 | +3,651.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,148.9 | 294.8 | +854.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,064.7 | 2,318.8 | +2,746.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 910.2 | 858.9 | +51.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bessemer or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 8,867 for Bessemer — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bessemer has a violent crime rate of 1,743.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Bessemer, AL
Bessemer, a city in Jefferson County, was founded by the Bessemer Land and Improvement Company. It lies southwest of Birmingham and was historically known as "The Marvel City" for its rapid growth and industrial output, primarily steel. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 24,720, Bessemer has a total crime rate of 8,867.3 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.