Is Bowie or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bowie is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 29/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 38% lower. Bowie has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowie has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 46.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bowie — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowie, MD
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowie | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,473.3 | 4,012.2 | -1,539.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.2 | 539.9 | -346.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 35.1 | 58.8 | -23.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 335.3 | -277.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 100.1 | 128.3 | -28.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,280.0 | 3,472.4 | -1,192.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 138.8 | 294.8 | -156.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,761.8 | 2,318.8 | -556.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 379.4 | 858.9 | -479.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowie or Chicago safer?
Bowie is safer with a total crime rate of 2,473 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowie has a violent crime rate of 193.2 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bowie has lower violent crime.
About Bowie, MD
Bowie, Maryland, a Prince George's County suburb, was originally a railroad stop called Huntington. It's home to Bowie State University, one of the nation's oldest Historically Black colleges. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 56,929, Bowie has a total crime rate of 2,473.3 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.