Is Chicago or Delaware Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Delaware is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 69/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 72% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Delaware has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 56.9x 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
Delaware — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Delaware, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Delaware | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,136.5 | +2,875.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 146.7 | +393.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.2 | +15.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 28.0 | +30.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 15.1 | +320.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 101.4 | +27.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 989.9 | +2,482.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 73.3 | +221.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 860.5 | +1,458.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 56.1 | +802.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Delaware safer?
Delaware is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Delaware has 146.7. Delaware 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 Delaware, OH
Delaware, Ohio, a city north of Columbus, is the county seat and home to Ohio Wesleyan University, founded in 1842. Its historic downtown features Victorian architecture. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 46,369, Delaware has a total crime rate of 1,136.5 per 100,000 residents.