Is Brookline or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookline is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 995 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Brookline has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookline has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 41.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookline, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookline | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 995.0 | 4,012.2 | -3,017.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.8 | 539.9 | -440.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 4.7 | 58.8 | -54.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.6 | 335.3 | -319.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 128.3 | -48.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 895.2 | 3,472.4 | -2,577.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.8 | 294.8 | -209.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 784.4 | 2,318.8 | -1,534.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.0 | 858.9 | -833.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookline or Chicago safer?
Brookline is safer with a total crime rate of 995 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookline has a violent crime rate of 99.8 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Brookline has lower violent crime.
About Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 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.