Is Chicago or Dayton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Dayton (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,673 for Dayton — 29% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 19.6x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dayton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Dayton, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Dayton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,673.4 | -1,661.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,339.2 | -799.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 29.7 | -12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 116.4 | -57.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 252.9 | +82.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 940.3 | -811.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,334.2 | -861.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 859.4 | -564.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,144.5 | +174.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 1,330.3 | -471.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Dayton safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,673 for Dayton — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Dayton has 1,339.2. 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 Dayton, OH
Dayton, birthplace of aviation, is a mid-sized city in southwest Ohio. Nestled in the Miami Valley, its population is diverse, with a notable manufacturing legacy. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 134,857, Dayton has a total crime rate of 5,673.4 per 100,000 residents.