Is Burlington or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Burlington (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,769 for Burlington — 16% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Burlington has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 59.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Burlington, VT?
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, VT
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,768.8 | 4,012.2 | +756.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 479.1 | 539.9 | -60.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.3 | 17.5 | -15.2 |
| Rape Rate | 20.2 | 58.8 | -38.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 54.0 | 335.3 | -281.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 402.7 | 128.3 | +274.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,289.6 | 3,472.4 | +817.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 384.7 | 294.8 | +89.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,716.0 | 2,318.8 | +1,397.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 189.0 | 858.9 | -669.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,769 for Burlington — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 479.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Burlington has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, VT
Burlington, Vermont, a city on Lake Champlain, is home to the Ben & Jerry's original ice cream shop. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 44,456, Burlington has a total crime rate of 4,768.8 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.