Is Bowling Green or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bowling Green is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,153 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 21% lower. Bowling Green has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowling Green has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 34.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bowling Green — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowling Green, KY
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowling Green | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,153.4 | 4,012.2 | -858.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.5 | 539.9 | -315.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 17.5 | -16.2 |
| Rape Rate | 89.0 | 58.8 | +30.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.5 | 335.3 | -288.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.7 | 128.3 | -40.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,928.9 | 3,472.4 | -543.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.6 | 294.8 | +45.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,322.5 | 2,318.8 | +3.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 265.8 | 858.9 | -593.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowling Green or Chicago safer?
Bowling Green is safer with a total crime rate of 3,153 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowling Green has a violent crime rate of 224.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Bowling Green has lower violent crime.
About Bowling Green, KY
Bowling Green, Kentucky, home to Western Kentucky University, sits on the Barren River. This city of over 70,000 residents is also home to the National Corvette Museum. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 77,503, Bowling Green has a total crime rate of 3,153.4 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.