Is Chicago or Eau Claire Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Eau Claire is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 39/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,068 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 48% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Eau Claire has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 37.2x 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
Eau Claire — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Eau Claire, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Eau Claire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,068.0 | +1,944.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 162.2 | +377.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.8 | +14.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 56.4 | +2.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 9.9 | +325.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 93.1 | +35.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,905.7 | +1,566.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 252.5 | +42.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,553.1 | +765.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 100.2 | +758.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Eau Claire safer?
Eau Claire is safer with a total crime rate of 2,068 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Eau Claire has 162.2. Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire, WI
Eau Claire, situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, was once a major logging hub. Its population is around 70,000, and it's home to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 70,891, Eau Claire has a total crime rate of 2,068.0 per 100,000 residents.