Is Chicago or Galesburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Galesburg is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,478 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 13% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Galesburg has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 91.4x 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
Galesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Galesburg, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Galesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,478.4 | +533.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 512.8 | +27.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.9 | +10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 145.5 | -86.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 20.8 | +314.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 339.5 | -211.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,965.6 | +506.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 724.1 | -429.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,068.3 | +250.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 173.2 | +685.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Galesburg safer?
Galesburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,478 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Galesburg has 512.8. Galesburg 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 Galesburg, IL
Galesburg, Illinois, a city in Knox County, is known as the birthplace of Carl Sandburg. Situated in west-central Illinois, its population is around 30,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,864, Galesburg has a total crime rate of 3,478.4 per 100,000 residents.