Is Chicago or Gadsden Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gadsden is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 21% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gadsden has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 79.9x 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
Gadsden — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Gadsden, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Gadsden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,159.2 | +853.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 581.6 | -41.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.1 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 12.1 | +46.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 48.5 | +286.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 508.9 | -380.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,577.6 | +894.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 293.8 | +1.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,065.7 | +253.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 218.1 | +640.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Gadsden safer?
Gadsden is safer with a total crime rate of 3,159 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Gadsden has 581.6. 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 Gadsden, AL
Gadsden, a city in northeast Alabama's Appalachian foothills, sits on the Coosa River. It was a major industrial hub, home to Republic Steel, and is the county seat of Etowah County. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 33,015, Gadsden has a total crime rate of 3,159.2 per 100,000 residents.