Is Chapel Hill or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chapel Hill is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 24/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 33% lower. Chapel Hill has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chapel Hill has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 41.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chapel Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chapel Hill, NC
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chapel Hill | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.8 | 4,012.2 | -1,325.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 172.1 | 539.9 | -367.7 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 17.5 | -15.9 |
| Rape Rate | 12.5 | 58.8 | -46.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 45.4 | 335.3 | -289.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 112.7 | 128.3 | -15.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,514.6 | 3,472.4 | -957.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 339.6 | 294.8 | +44.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,988.9 | 2,318.8 | -329.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.2 | 858.9 | -672.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapel Hill or Chicago safer?
Chapel Hill is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chapel Hill has a violent crime rate of 172.1 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chapel Hill has lower violent crime.
About Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, home to the nation's first public university, is a vibrant town in Orange County, North Carolina. Its youthful population, largely influenced by UNC, enjoys the rolling Piedmont hills. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 63,906, Chapel Hill has a total crime rate of 2,686.8 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.