Is Cary or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cary is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 60/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,389 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 65% lower. Cary has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cary has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 14.5x 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, NC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cary | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,388.9 | 4,012.2 | -2,623.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.5 | 539.9 | -468.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 17.5 | -15.8 |
| Rape Rate | 6.6 | 58.8 | -52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 12.7 | 335.3 | -322.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 50.1 | 128.3 | -78.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,317.4 | 3,472.4 | -2,155.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 88.6 | 294.8 | -206.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,110.6 | 2,318.8 | -1,208.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.3 | 858.9 | -740.6 |
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 1,389 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cary has a violent crime rate of 71.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Cary has lower violent crime.
About Cary, NC
Cary, NC, a large town in the Research Triangle region, began as a railroad town. It consistently ranks among the most educated communities in the U.S., attracting a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 181,793, Cary has a total crime rate of 1,388.9 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.