Is Chicago or Great Bend Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Great Bend is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 44/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,872 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 53% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Great Bend has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 185.0x 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
Great Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Great Bend, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Great Bend | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,871.7 | +2,140.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 315.5 | +224.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.0 | +10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 84.1 | -25.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 7.0 | +328.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 217.3 | -89.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,556.3 | +1,916.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 385.6 | -90.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,086.6 | +1,232.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 84.1 | +774.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Great Bend safer?
Great Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,872 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Great Bend has 315.5. Great Bend 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 Great Bend, KS
Great Bend, Kansas, named for its location at a significant bend in the Arkansas River, is a central Kansas community. Home to Barton Community College, it serves as a regional hub for agriculture and oil. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 14,265, Great Bend has a total crime rate of 1,871.7 per 100,000 residents.