Is Chicago or Durham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Durham (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,420 for Durham — 9% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Durham has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 8.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Durham, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Durham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,420.3 | -408.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 620.6 | -80.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.3 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 57.3 | +1.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 160.9 | +174.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 388.7 | -260.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,799.7 | -327.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 450.4 | -155.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,725.4 | -406.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 623.9 | +235.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Durham safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,420 for Durham — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Durham has 620.6. 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 Durham, NC
Durham, North Carolina, known as the "Bull City," grew around its tobacco industry. It's a diverse city in the Piedmont region, home to Duke University and a thriving tech scene. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 300,208, Durham has a total crime rate of 4,420.3 per 100,000 residents.