Is Charlottesville or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Charlottesville is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,550 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 12% lower. Charlottesville has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Charlottesville has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 58.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Charlottesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Charlottesville, VA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Charlottesville | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,550.1 | 4,012.2 | -462.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 359.0 | 539.9 | -180.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 17.5 | -15.2 |
| Rape Rate | 42.4 | 58.8 | -16.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.2 | 335.3 | -275.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 254.2 | 128.3 | +125.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,191.1 | 3,472.4 | -281.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 240.8 | 294.8 | -53.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,660.3 | 2,318.8 | +341.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 289.9 | 858.9 | -569.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlottesville or Chicago safer?
Charlottesville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,550 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Charlottesville has a violent crime rate of 359.0 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Charlottesville has lower violent crime.
About Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville, home to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, is a university town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is predominantly white, with a significant student population from the University of Virginia. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 44,844, Charlottesville has a total crime rate of 3,550.1 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.