Is Chicago or Covington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,285 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 18% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Covington has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 124.4x 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
Covington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Covington, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Covington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,285.3 | +727.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 179.1 | +360.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.7 | +12.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 33.0 | +25.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 61.3 | +274.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 80.1 | +48.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,106.2 | +366.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 315.8 | -21.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,342.6 | -23.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 447.8 | +411.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Covington safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 3,285 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Covington has 179.1. Covington 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, WA
Covington, originally a logging settlement named for Richard Covington, sits in King County, Washington. This suburban community, incorporated in 1997, is characterized by its family-oriented population and proximity to the Cascade foothills. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 21,216, Covington has a total crime rate of 3,285.3 per 100,000 residents.