Is Cary or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 92/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 488 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 88% lower. Cary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cary has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 146.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cary, IL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 487.9 | 4,012.2 | -3,524.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 11.1 | 539.9 | -528.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 58.8 | -47.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 335.3 | -335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 128.3 | -128.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 476.9 | 3,472.4 | -2,995.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 99.8 | 294.8 | -195.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 349.3 | 2,318.8 | -1,969.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.7 | 858.9 | -831.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cary or Chicago safer?
Cary is safer with a total crime rate of 488 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 11.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, IL
Cary, Illinois, a village in McHenry County, is known for its annual "Merry Cary Holiday Parade." Situated along the Fox River, it's a predominantly suburban community with a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 18,035, Cary has a total crime rate of 487.9 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.