Is Centralia or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Centralia is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 16/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,243 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 19% lower. Centralia has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Centralia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 224.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Centralia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Centralia, IL
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Centralia | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,243.1 | 4,012.2 | -769.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 663.9 | 539.9 | +124.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 59.6 | 58.8 | +0.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.6 | 335.3 | -292.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 561.8 | 128.3 | +433.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,579.2 | 3,472.4 | -893.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 825.7 | 294.8 | +530.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,472.6 | 2,318.8 | -846.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 280.9 | 858.9 | -578.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centralia or Chicago safer?
Centralia is safer with a total crime rate of 3,243 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Centralia has a violent crime rate of 663.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Centralia, IL
Centralia, Illinois, a city in Marion County, was historically a significant railroad town. Its population has steadily declined since the mid-20th century. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 11,748, Centralia has a total crime rate of 3,243.1 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.