Is Carbondale or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Carbondale (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,690 for Carbondale — 14% lower. Carbondale has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Carbondale has a 67% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 122.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carbondale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carbondale, IL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carbondale | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,689.7 | 4,012.2 | +677.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,004.9 | 539.9 | +465.1 |
| Murder Rate | 9.3 | 17.5 | -8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 237.3 | 58.8 | +178.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 111.7 | 335.3 | -223.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 646.7 | 128.3 | +518.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,684.8 | 3,472.4 | +212.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,093.3 | 294.8 | +798.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,242.5 | 2,318.8 | -76.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 348.9 | 858.9 | -509.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carbondale or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,690 for Carbondale — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carbondale has a violent crime rate of 1,004.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Carbondale, IL
Nestled in Southern Illinois, Carbondale is a university town, home to Southern Illinois University. Its early development was tied to the Illinois Central Railroad, and it's surrounded by Shawnee National Forest. The population is diverse, with a significant student presence. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 21,494, Carbondale has a total crime rate of 4,689.7 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.