Is Chicago or El Centro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 53/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 60% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Centro has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 60.6x 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
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
El Centro, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | El Centro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,595.9 | +2,416.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 328.4 | +211.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.6 | +12.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 23.0 | +35.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 73.5 | +261.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 227.3 | -99.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,267.5 | +2,204.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 475.3 | -180.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 622.3 | +1,696.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 169.9 | +689.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or El Centro safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while El Centro has 328.4. El Centro 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 El Centro, CA
El Centro, founded in 1906, is the largest city in Imperial County, situated in the Sonoran Desert. Its economy is largely agricultural, benefiting from irrigation from the Colorado River. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 43,550, El Centro has a total crime rate of 1,595.9 per 100,000 residents.