Is Chattanooga or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Chattanooga (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,767 for Chattanooga — 16% lower. Chattanooga has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Chattanooga has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 14.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chattanooga — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chattanooga, TN
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chattanooga | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,766.7 | 4,012.2 | +754.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 824.3 | 539.9 | +284.4 |
| Murder Rate | 12.7 | 17.5 | -4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 91.1 | 58.8 | +32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.7 | 335.3 | -241.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 626.3 | 128.3 | +498.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,942.4 | 3,472.4 | +470.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 379.6 | 294.8 | +84.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,896.3 | 2,318.8 | +577.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 666.5 | 858.9 | -192.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chattanooga or Chicago safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,767 for Chattanooga — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chattanooga has a violent crime rate of 824.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, nestled along the Tennessee River with Lookout Mountain forming part of its scenic backdrop, was a pivotal Civil War battleground. This mid-sized city boasts a diverse population exceeding 180,000 residents in its metropolitan area. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 188,894, Chattanooga has a total crime rate of 4,766.7 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.