Is Chicago or Fairfax City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fairfax City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,432 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 14% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairfax City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 102.8x 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
Fairfax City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fairfax City, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fairfax City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,431.8 | +580.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 128.5 | +411.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 11.7 | +47.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 46.7 | +288.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 70.1 | +58.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,303.2 | +169.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 62.3 | +232.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,104.6 | -785.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 136.3 | +722.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fairfax City safer?
Fairfax City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,432 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fairfax City has 128.5. Fairfax City 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 Fairfax City, VA
Fairfax City, a Northern Virginia independent city, boasts a rich colonial history as the site of the first court to repudiate the Stamp Act. It is home to George Mason University, a major public research institution, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 25,672, Fairfax City has a total crime rate of 3,431.8 per 100,000 residents.