Is Chicago or Hazelwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hazelwood is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,011 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 25% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hazelwood has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 106.9x 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
Hazelwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Hazelwood, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Hazelwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,010.8 | +1,001.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 490.3 | +49.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.2 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 56.7 | +2.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 68.9 | +266.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 352.5 | -224.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,520.5 | +951.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 259.3 | +35.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,576.3 | +742.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 684.8 | +174.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Hazelwood safer?
Hazelwood is safer with a total crime rate of 3,011 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Hazelwood has 490.3. Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood, MO
Hazelwood, MO, a St. Louis suburb, was once home to the McDonnell Douglas aircraft plant. This diverse community, with a population of over 25,000, is situated near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 24,678, Hazelwood has a total crime rate of 3,010.8 per 100,000 residents.