Is Cheyenne or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cheyenne is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,317 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 17% lower. Cheyenne has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Cheyenne has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cheyenne — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cheyenne, WY
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cheyenne | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,317.3 | 4,012.2 | -694.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.5 | 539.9 | -211.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.1 | 17.5 | -14.4 |
| Rape Rate | 90.6 | 58.8 | +31.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.6 | 335.3 | -307.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 207.2 | 128.3 | +78.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,988.8 | 3,472.4 | -483.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 393.0 | 294.8 | +98.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,364.0 | 2,318.8 | +45.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 231.8 | 858.9 | -627.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheyenne or Chicago safer?
Cheyenne is safer with a total crime rate of 3,317 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cheyenne has a violent crime rate of 328.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Cheyenne has lower violent crime.
About Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne, Wyoming, the state capital and home to Frontier Days, sits on the high plains near the Colorado border. Its population is approximately 65,000. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 65,143, Cheyenne has a total crime rate of 3,317.3 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.