Is Chicago or Dothan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dothan is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 8% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dothan has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 37.0x 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
Dothan — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Dothan, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Dothan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,677.9 | +334.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 912.8 | -373.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.0 | +10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 68.7 | -9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 53.3 | +282.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 783.8 | -655.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,765.1 | +707.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 364.6 | -69.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,268.7 | +50.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 131.8 | +727.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Dothan safer?
Dothan is safer with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Dothan has 912.8. 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 Dothan, AL
Dothan, Alabama, the "Peanut Capital of the World," is a city in Houston County with a population of around 70,000. It serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare in the Wiregrass Region of southeast Alabama. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 71,318, Dothan has a total crime rate of 3,677.9 per 100,000 residents.