Is Carthage or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Carthage is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 58/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 64% lower. Carthage has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Carthage has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 169.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Carthage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Carthage, MO
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Carthage | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,459.9 | 4,012.2 | -2,552.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 539.9 | -366.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 25.7 | 58.8 | -33.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 147.9 | 128.3 | +19.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,286.3 | 3,472.4 | -2,186.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.4 | 294.8 | -140.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,029.0 | 2,318.8 | -1,289.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 102.9 | 858.9 | -756.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carthage or Chicago safer?
Carthage is safer with a total crime rate of 1,460 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Carthage has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Carthage has lower violent crime.
About Carthage, MO
Carthage, Missouri, known as "America's Maple Leaf City," sits in Jasper County. This city of over 15,000 residents is home to the historic Jasper County Courthouse, built with local Carthage stone. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 15,549, Carthage has a total crime rate of 1,459.9 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.