Is Chicago or El Reno Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Reno is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 54/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,563 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 61% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Reno has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 132.2x 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
El Reno — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
El Reno, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | El Reno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,562.7 | +2,449.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 205.4 | +334.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.0 | +12.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 45.1 | +13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 10.0 | +325.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 145.3 | -16.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,357.4 | +2,115.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 330.6 | -35.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 921.6 | +1,397.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 105.2 | +753.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or El Reno safer?
El Reno is safer with a total crime rate of 1,563 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while El Reno has 205.4. El Reno 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 Reno, OK
El Reno, Oklahoma, a city bisected by historic Route 66, sits west of Oklahoma City. Its early development was shaped by the Rock Island Railroad, and it remains a small, predominantly white community. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 19,965, El Reno has a total crime rate of 1,562.7 per 100,000 residents.