Is Chicago or Decatur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Decatur is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 21/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 27% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 45.1x 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
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Decatur, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Decatur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,915.5 | +1,096.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 606.7 | -66.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.5 | +8.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 54.7 | +4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 44.4 | +290.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 499.0 | -370.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,308.9 | +1,163.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 193.1 | +101.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,833.8 | +485.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 282.0 | +576.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Decatur safer?
Decatur is safer with a total crime rate of 2,916 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Decatur has 606.7. 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 Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 per 100,000 residents.