Is Chicago or East Lansing Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Lansing is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 58/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 64% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where East Lansing has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 52.3x 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
East Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
East Lansing, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | East Lansing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,440.4 | +2,571.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 219.9 | +319.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.0 | +13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 37.6 | +21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 13.9 | +321.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 164.5 | -36.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,220.5 | +2,251.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 63.4 | +231.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 984.7 | +1,334.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 172.4 | +686.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or East Lansing safer?
East Lansing is safer with a total crime rate of 1,440 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while East Lansing has 219.9. East Lansing 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 East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University, is a vibrant college town in the southern Lower Peninsula. Its population is largely young adults, and the city's culture is deeply intertwined with university life, including the Spartans' athletic traditions. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 50,472, East Lansing has a total crime rate of 1,440.4 per 100,000 residents.