Is Big Lake or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Big Lake is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 93/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 473 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 88% lower. Big Lake has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Big Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 204.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Big Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Big Lake, MN
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Big Lake | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 472.7 | 4,012.2 | -3,539.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 131.7 | 539.9 | -408.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 69.8 | 58.8 | +11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.0 | 128.3 | -66.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 341.0 | 3,472.4 | -3,131.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 23.3 | 294.8 | -271.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 294.5 | 2,318.8 | -2,024.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 23.3 | 858.9 | -835.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Lake or Chicago safer?
Big Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 473 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Big Lake has a violent crime rate of 131.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Big Lake has lower violent crime.
About Big Lake, MN
Big Lake, Minnesota, a city in Sherburne County, is named for the expansive lake within its borders. Once a stop on the Great Northern Railway, it is now a growing residential community situated along the Mississippi River. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 12,904, Big Lake has a total crime rate of 472.7 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.