Is Chicago or Eugene Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Eugene is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 11% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Eugene has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 14.8x 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
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Eugene, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Eugene | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,574.1 | +438.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 318.4 | +221.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.1 | +16.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 46.1 | +12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 70.8 | +264.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 199.9 | -71.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,255.7 | +216.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 475.7 | -180.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,458.2 | -139.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 321.8 | +537.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Eugene safer?
Eugene is safer with a total crime rate of 3,574 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Eugene has 318.4. Eugene 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 Eugene, OR
Eugene, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city with a strong counter-culture legacy and a significant student population due to the University of Oregon. Its verdant surroundings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 178,057, Eugene has a total crime rate of 3,574.1 per 100,000 residents.