Is Chicago or Covington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Covington (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,465 for Covington — 10% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Covington has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 178.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Covington, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Covington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,465.4 | -453.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 647.6 | -107.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.8 | +10.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 47.2 | +11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 33.7 | +301.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 559.9 | -431.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,817.9 | -345.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 364.3 | -69.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,102.9 | -784.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 350.8 | +508.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Covington safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,465 for Covington — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Covington has 647.6. Chicago 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 Covington, GA
Covington, Georgia, the "Hollywood of the South," is a city in Newton County known for its historic town square and antebellum architecture. Located about 35 miles east of Atlanta, its population was around 14,000 in 2020. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 14,825, Covington has a total crime rate of 4,465.4 per 100,000 residents.