Is Chicago or Garland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,222 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 45% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Garland has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 10.7x 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
Garland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Garland, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Garland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,221.7 | +1,790.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 233.5 | +306.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.9 | +12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 26.4 | +32.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 60.5 | +274.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 140.9 | -12.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,988.2 | +1,484.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 303.3 | -8.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,283.6 | +1,035.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 401.2 | +457.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Garland safer?
Garland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,222 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Garland has 233.5. Garland 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 Garland, TX
Garland, a large suburb northeast of Dallas, was once known as the "Watermelon Capital of the World." Its diverse population of over 240,000 makes it the 12th most populous city in Texas. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 246,255, Garland has a total crime rate of 2,221.7 per 100,000 residents.