Is Chicago or Festus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Festus is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 66/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,212 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 70% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Festus has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 192.7x 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
Festus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Festus, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Festus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,212.3 | +2,799.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 182.6 | +357.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 21.9 | +36.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 160.7 | -32.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,029.7 | +2,442.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 65.7 | +229.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 839.9 | +1,478.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 124.2 | +734.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Festus safer?
Festus is safer with a total crime rate of 1,212 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Festus has 182.6. Festus 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 Festus, MO
Festus, Missouri, a city in Jefferson County, lies along the Mississippi River. Historically, it was a railroad town, and today it's a growing suburban community south of St. Louis. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 13,693, Festus has a total crime rate of 1,212.3 per 100,000 residents.