Is Chester City or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chester City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 22/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,819 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 30% lower. Chester City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chicago has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 77.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chester City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chester City, PA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chester City | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,819.4 | 4,012.2 | -1,192.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 830.8 | 539.9 | +290.9 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 17.5 | +41.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.9 | 58.8 | +0.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 194.4 | 335.3 | -140.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 518.5 | 128.3 | +390.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,988.6 | 3,472.4 | -1,483.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 332.9 | 294.8 | +38.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,243.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,075.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 412.4 | 858.9 | -446.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chester City or Chicago safer?
Chester City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,819 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chester City has a violent crime rate of 830.8 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Chester City, PA
Chester, Pennsylvania, a city along the Delaware River, was once home to the nation's first continuously operating shipyard. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant African American population. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 33,944, Chester City has a total crime rate of 2,819.4 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.