Is Chicago or Great Falls Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Great Falls is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,001 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 0% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Great Falls has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 43.7x 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
Great Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Great Falls, MT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Great Falls | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,000.7 | +11.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 574.4 | -34.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 89.4 | -30.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 46.4 | +288.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 438.6 | -310.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,426.4 | +46.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 397.3 | -102.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,810.6 | -491.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 218.5 | +640.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Great Falls safer?
Great Falls is safer with a total crime rate of 4,001 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Great Falls has 574.4. 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 Great Falls, MT
Great Falls, Montana, a city bisected by the Missouri River, holds the only remaining intact Black Eagle Dam, a marvel of early hydroelectric engineering. This community, the third largest in Montana, is known for its proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 60,414, Great Falls has a total crime rate of 4,000.7 per 100,000 residents.