Is Cape Girardeau or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cape Girardeau is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Cape Girardeau has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cape Girardeau has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 64.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cape Girardeau — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cape Girardeau, MO
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cape Girardeau | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,079.5 | 4,012.2 | -932.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 623.3 | 539.9 | +83.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.4 | 17.5 | -10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 51.5 | 58.8 | -7.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 31.9 | 335.3 | -303.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 532.5 | 128.3 | +404.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.3 | 3,472.4 | -1,016.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 296.9 | 294.8 | +2.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,931.2 | 2,318.8 | -387.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 228.2 | 858.9 | -630.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Girardeau or Chicago safer?
Cape Girardeau is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cape Girardeau has a violent crime rate of 623.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Cape Girardeau, MO
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a city on the Mississippi River, is home to Southeast Missouri State University. Its historic downtown features a vibrant arts scene and overlooks the river, which forms the eastern border of Missouri. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 40,753, Cape Girardeau has a total crime rate of 3,079.5 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.