Is Chicago or Duluth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Duluth is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,175 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 21% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Duluth has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 30.0x 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
Duluth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Duluth, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Duluth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,174.9 | +837.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 220.5 | +319.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.0 | +9.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 46.6 | +12.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 37.5 | +297.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 127.3 | +1.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,954.4 | +518.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 275.0 | +19.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,555.6 | -236.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 123.9 | +735.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Duluth safer?
Duluth is safer with a total crime rate of 3,175 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Duluth has 220.5. Duluth 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 Duluth, MN
Duluth, a port city on Lake Superior, boasts the world's longest freshwater sandbar, Park Point. Its economy historically tied to shipping and steel, the city is a regional hub for healthcare and higher education, home to over 86,000 residents. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 88,003, Duluth has a total crime rate of 3,174.9 per 100,000 residents.