Is Chicago or Greenwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Greenwood is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,813 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 5% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Greenwood has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 117.4x 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
Greenwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Greenwood, SC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Greenwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,812.6 | +199.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 489.4 | +50.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 13.4 | +4.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 62.3 | -3.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 57.8 | +277.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 351.5 | -223.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,323.3 | +149.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 729.6 | -434.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,531.4 | -212.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 62.3 | +796.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Greenwood safer?
Greenwood is safer with a total crime rate of 3,813 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Greenwood has 489.4. Greenwood 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 Greenwood, SC
Greenwood, SC, in the Upstate region, is home to Lander University, a public liberal arts school. This city of about 23,000 residents serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding Greenwood County. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 22,478, Greenwood has a total crime rate of 3,812.6 per 100,000 residents.