Is Chicago or Hagerstown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hagerstown is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,177 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 21% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hagerstown has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 60.6x 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
Hagerstown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Hagerstown, MD
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Hagerstown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,177.0 | +835.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 713.9 | -174.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.2 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 73.5 | -14.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 222.7 | +112.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 408.6 | -280.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,463.1 | +1,009.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 500.4 | -205.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,501.3 | +817.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 461.4 | +397.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Hagerstown safer?
Hagerstown is safer with a total crime rate of 3,177 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Hagerstown has 713.9. 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 Hagerstown, MD
Hagerstown, a hub in Washington County, is known as the "Hub City" due to its historical role as a transportation nexus. Located in the Great Appalachian Valley, it's the largest city in Western Maryland. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 43,563, Hagerstown has a total crime rate of 3,177.0 per 100,000 residents.