Is Chicago or Elmira Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Elmira (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,684 for Elmira — 14% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Elmira has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 101.0x 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
Elmira — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Elmira, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Elmira | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,684.3 | -672.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 547.3 | -7.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.8 | +13.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 19.1 | +39.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 84.2 | +251.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 440.1 | -311.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,137.0 | -664.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 428.6 | -133.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,631.8 | -1,313.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 76.5 | +782.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Elmira safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,684 for Elmira — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Elmira has 547.3. Chicago 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 Elmira, NY
Elmira, a city in Chemung County, sits along the Chemung River in the Southern Tier of New York. It was home to a Civil War prison camp and is known for its historic architecture. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 26,130, Elmira has a total crime rate of 4,684.3 per 100,000 residents.