Is Chicago or Gardena Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardena is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,755 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 6% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardena has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 45.8x 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
Gardena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Gardena, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Gardena | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,754.5 | +257.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 703.3 | -163.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.2 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 27.8 | +31.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 201.4 | +133.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 468.9 | -340.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,051.2 | +421.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 422.0 | -127.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,727.9 | +590.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 901.3 | -42.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Gardena safer?
Gardena is safer with a total crime rate of 3,755 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Gardena has 703.3. 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 Gardena, CA
Gardena, a South Bay city, was once a major strawberry producer. Its diverse population includes a significant Japanese American community. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 57,584, Gardena has a total crime rate of 3,754.5 per 100,000 residents.