Is Chicago or Forest Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Forest Lake is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 53/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 60% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Forest Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 127.6x 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
Forest Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Forest Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Forest Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,595.7 | +2,416.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 120.9 | +419.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 19.3 | +39.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 4.8 | +330.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 96.7 | +31.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,474.9 | +1,997.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 154.7 | +140.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,213.7 | +1,105.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 106.4 | +752.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Forest Lake safer?
Forest Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Forest Lake has 120.9. Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake, MN
Forest Lake, MN, a northern suburb of St. Paul, was once a popular resort town. Situated around the lake of the same name, its population was 20,612 as of 2020. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 20,680, Forest Lake has a total crime rate of 1,595.7 per 100,000 residents.