Is Chicago or Fairview Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fairview Heights is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,436 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 14% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fairview Heights has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 165.5x 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
Fairview Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fairview Heights, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fairview Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,436.2 | +576.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 407.6 | +132.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.3 | +11.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 75.2 | -16.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 25.1 | +310.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 301.0 | -172.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,028.6 | +443.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 301.0 | -6.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,527.0 | -208.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 200.7 | +658.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fairview Heights safer?
Fairview Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 3,436 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 Fairview Heights has 407.6. Fairview Heights 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 Fairview Heights, IL
Fairview Heights, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, developed around a major crossroads and became a retail hub. It boasts a diverse population and is home to the popular St. Clair Square mall. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 15,948, Fairview Heights has a total crime rate of 3,436.2 per 100,000 residents.