Is Chicago or Fairbanks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Fairbanks (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Fairbanks — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairbanks has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 83.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairbanks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fairbanks, AK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fairbanks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,167.2 | -155.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 704.0 | -164.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.3 | +11.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 120.0 | -61.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 132.6 | +202.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 438.8 | -310.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,463.2 | +9.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 296.8 | -2.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,847.6 | -528.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 318.9 | +540.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fairbanks safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,167 for Fairbanks — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fairbanks has 704.0. 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 Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, Alaska, a city founded on gold mining, sits just 190 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Its population of roughly 32,000 residents experiences extreme seasonal light variations, from near-total darkness to the midnight sun. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 31,676, Fairbanks has a total crime rate of 4,167.2 per 100,000 residents.