Is Chicago or Fayetteville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fayetteville is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,756 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 6% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fayetteville has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 12.6x 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
Fayetteville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fayetteville, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fayetteville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,755.8 | +256.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 661.1 | -121.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.4 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 32.9 | +25.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 101.0 | +234.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 513.9 | -385.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,094.6 | +377.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 387.2 | -92.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,349.2 | -30.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 358.2 | +500.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fayetteville safer?
Fayetteville is safer with a total crime rate of 3,756 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Fayetteville has 661.1. 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 Fayetteville, NC
Fayetteville, NC, is a historic city in the Sandhills region, renowned as home to Fort Liberty. Its diverse population, with a significant military presence, contributes to a unique cultural landscape in Cumberland County. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 209,945, Fayetteville has a total crime rate of 3,755.8 per 100,000 residents.