Is Burien or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burien is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 5% lower. Burien has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Burien has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 52.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burien — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burien, WA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burien | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,819.7 | 4,012.2 | -192.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 425.3 | 539.9 | -114.6 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 17.5 | -13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 65.6 | 58.8 | +6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 335.3 | -172.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 192.8 | 128.3 | +64.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,394.4 | 3,472.4 | -78.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 576.3 | 294.8 | +281.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,752.9 | 2,318.8 | -565.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,065.2 | 858.9 | +206.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burien or Chicago safer?
Burien is safer with a total crime rate of 3,820 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burien has a violent crime rate of 425.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Burien has lower violent crime.
About Burien, WA
Burien, a Puget Sound city, was once nicknamed "Booburb" for its growth. It's home to a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community, and offers views of the Olympic Mountains. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 50,318, Burien has a total crime rate of 3,819.7 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.