Is Chelsea or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 30/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 40% lower. Chelsea has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chelsea has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 68.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 4,012.2 | -1,597.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 539.9 | +439.1 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 17.5 | -12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 58.8 | +22.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 335.3 | -215.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 128.3 | +644.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 3,472.4 | -2,036.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 294.8 | -146.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,167.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 858.9 | -723.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or Chicago safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 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.