Is Chicago or Dover Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Dover (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 7,082 for Dover — 43% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dover has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 65.8x 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 SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Dover, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Dover | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 7,082.1 | -3,069.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,012.8 | -473.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 17.5 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 39.9 | +18.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 114.8 | +220.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 840.7 | -712.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 6,069.3 | -2,596.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 139.7 | +155.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 5,572.9 | -3,254.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 356.7 | +502.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Dover safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 7,082 for Dover — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Dover has 1,012.8. 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 Dover, DE
Dover, Delaware, the state capital, is a small city on the St. Jones River. Home to Dover International Speedway, it's the second-largest city in Delaware with a population just under 40,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 40,087, Dover has a total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 residents.