Is Chicago or Flint Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Flint is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 27/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 36% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Flint has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 33.3x 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
Flint — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Flint, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Flint | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,570.0 | +1,442.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,257.9 | -718.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 25.3 | -7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 59.4 | -0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 60.6 | +274.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 1,112.6 | -984.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,312.2 | +2,160.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 277.8 | +16.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 732.5 | +1,586.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 301.8 | +557.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Flint safer?
Flint is safer with a total crime rate of 2,570 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Flint has 1,257.9. 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 Flint, MI
Flint, Michigan, once a General Motors boomtown, sits on the Flint River in Genesee County. Its population is predominantly African American, a legacy of the Great Migration. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 79,183, Flint has a total crime rate of 2,570.0 per 100,000 residents.