Is Chicago or Cottage Grove Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cottage Grove is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 84/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 721 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 82% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cottage Grove has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 61.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cottage Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Cottage Grove, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Cottage Grove | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 721.1 | +3,291.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 39.4 | +500.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 16.2 | +42.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 9.3 | +326.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 13.9 | +114.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 681.6 | +2,790.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 60.3 | +234.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 582.0 | +1,736.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 39.4 | +819.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Cottage Grove safer?
Cottage Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 721 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Cottage Grove has 39.4. Cottage Grove has lower violent crime.
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.
About Cottage Grove, MN
Cottage Grove, a Mississippi River town southeast of St. Paul, was once a thriving logging community. This Washington County suburb has grown significantly in recent decades, with a population exceeding 39,000. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 43,131, Cottage Grove has a total crime rate of 721.1 per 100,000 residents.