Is Brea or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brea is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Brea has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brea has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 54.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brea, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brea | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,075.6 | 4,012.2 | -936.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 210.6 | 539.9 | -329.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 17.5 | -15.4 |
| Rape Rate | 12.3 | 58.8 | -46.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.0 | 335.3 | -243.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.3 | 128.3 | -24.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,865.0 | 3,472.4 | -607.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.9 | 294.8 | -24.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,439.6 | 2,318.8 | +120.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 155.4 | 858.9 | -703.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brea or Chicago safer?
Brea is safer with a total crime rate of 3,076 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brea has a violent crime rate of 210.6 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Brea has lower violent crime.
About Brea, CA
Brea, California, once known for its oil fields, is a suburban city in northern Orange County. It features a vibrant downtown area and is home to a diverse population of around 47,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 48,901, Brea has a total crime rate of 3,075.6 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.