Is Chicago or Greenville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Greenville (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,114 for Greenville — 2% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenville has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 35.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Greenville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Greenville, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Greenville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,114.2 | -101.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 645.7 | -105.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.5 | +7.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 30.0 | +28.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 64.0 | +271.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 540.8 | -412.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,468.4 | +4.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 303.8 | -9.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,858.1 | -539.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 306.5 | +552.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Greenville safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,114 for Greenville — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Greenville has 645.7. 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 Greenville, SC
Greenville, a city in the Upstate region, boasts a revitalized downtown along the Reedy River. It’s known for its textile industry heritage and a growing population of over 70,000 residents. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 73,405, Greenville has a total crime rate of 4,114.2 per 100,000 residents.