Is Chicago or Gaffney Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Gaffney (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,404 for Gaffney — 9% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gaffney has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 212.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gaffney — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Gaffney, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Gaffney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,403.6 | -391.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 225.8 | +314.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 16.1 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 56.5 | +2.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 16.1 | +319.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 137.1 | -8.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,177.8 | -705.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 645.2 | -350.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,137.4 | -818.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 395.2 | +463.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Gaffney safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,404 for Gaffney — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Gaffney has 225.8. Gaffney 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 Gaffney, SC
Gaffney, SC, home to the iconic Peachoid water tower, sits in Cherokee County. This small Southern town, with a population around 13,000, is part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson combined statistical area. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 12,399, Gaffney has a total crime rate of 4,403.6 per 100,000 residents.