Is Boone or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boone is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 999 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Boone has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boone has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 131.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boone — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boone, NC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boone | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 998.8 | 4,012.2 | -3,013.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 89.9 | 539.9 | -450.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 40.0 | 58.8 | -18.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.0 | 335.3 | -330.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 45.0 | 128.3 | -83.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 908.9 | 3,472.4 | -2,563.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 124.9 | 294.8 | -169.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 744.1 | 2,318.8 | -1,574.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 40.0 | 858.9 | -818.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boone or Chicago safer?
Boone is safer with a total crime rate of 999 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boone has a violent crime rate of 89.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Boone has lower violent crime.
About Boone, NC
Boone, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to Appalachian State University. This college town, named for Daniel Boone, has a population of around 20,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 20,024, Boone has a total crime rate of 998.8 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.