Is Chicago or Davis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Davis is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 31/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 40% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Davis has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.3x 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
Davis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Davis, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Davis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,397.6 | +1,614.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 186.3 | +353.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.5 | +15.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 29.0 | +29.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 32.1 | +303.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 123.7 | +4.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,211.3 | +1,261.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 142.0 | +152.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,924.2 | +394.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 145.1 | +713.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Davis safer?
Davis is safer with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Davis has 186.3. Davis 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 Davis, CA
Davis, California, a city known for its vibrant bicycle culture and the University of California, Davis, lies in the Sacramento Valley. This city of over 60,000 residents is a hub for agricultural research and innovation. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 65,483, Davis has a total crime rate of 2,397.6 per 100,000 residents.