Is Chicago or Hermiston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hermiston is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,543 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 12% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Hermiston has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 135.3x 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
Hermiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Hermiston, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Hermiston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,542.9 | +469.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 317.9 | +222.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 10.3 | +7.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 46.1 | +12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 30.8 | +304.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 230.7 | -102.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,225.0 | +247.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 153.8 | +141.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,912.2 | -593.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 158.9 | +699.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Hermiston safer?
Hermiston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,543 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Hermiston has 317.9. Hermiston 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 Hermiston, OR
Hermiston, Oregon, a city in Umatilla County known for its watermelon industry, sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Its economy, historically tied to agriculture, benefits from a diverse population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 19,504, Hermiston has a total crime rate of 3,542.9 per 100,000 residents.