Is Chicago or Elgin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elgin is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 61/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 66% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Elgin has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 23.4x 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
Elgin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Elgin, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Elgin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,368.7 | +2,643.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 266.7 | +273.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.4 | +13.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 64.7 | -5.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 31.0 | +304.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 166.6 | -38.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,102.1 | +2,370.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 211.7 | +83.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 804.4 | +1,514.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 85.9 | +772.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Elgin safer?
Elgin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,369 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Elgin has 266.7. Elgin 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 Elgin, IL
Elgin, Illinois, once known as "Watch City" due to the Elgin National Watch Company, is a Fox River community. Located in Kane and Cook counties, it's home to a diverse population of over 114,000 residents. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 112,879, Elgin has a total crime rate of 1,368.7 per 100,000 residents.