Is Chicago or Fargo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Fargo (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,195 for Fargo — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fargo has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 19.4x 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
Fargo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fargo, ND
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fargo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,195.1 | -182.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 498.2 | +41.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.4 | +13.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 102.5 | -43.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 77.4 | +257.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 314.0 | -185.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,696.9 | -224.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 741.4 | -446.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,600.9 | -282.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 354.5 | +504.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fargo safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,195 for Fargo — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fargo has 498.2. Fargo 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 Fargo, ND
Fargo, North Dakota, a city of over 120,000, sits on the Red River of the North, forming a metropolitan area with Moorhead, Minnesota. Home to North Dakota State University, it's a regional hub for agriculture and technology. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 135,682, Fargo has a total crime rate of 4,195.1 per 100,000 residents.