Is Billings or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Billings is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 4% lower. Billings has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Billings has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 21.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Billings — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Billings, MT
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Billings | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,832.0 | 4,012.2 | -180.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 748.5 | 539.9 | +208.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 17.5 | -10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 78.6 | 58.8 | +19.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 86.0 | 335.3 | -249.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 574.1 | 128.3 | +445.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,083.4 | 3,472.4 | -389.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.4 | 294.8 | +69.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,299.7 | 2,318.8 | -19.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 419.3 | 858.9 | -439.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Billings or Chicago safer?
Billings is safer with a total crime rate of 3,832 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Billings has a violent crime rate of 748.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Billings, MT
Billings, Montana's largest city, sits on the Yellowstone River, a hub for the region's agricultural and energy industries. Founded as a railroad town, its history is deeply tied to westward expansion. The city is a growing metropolitan area with a diverse economy. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 122,105, Billings has a total crime rate of 3,832.0 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.