Is Chicago or Independence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Independence (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,096 for Independence — 2% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Independence has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 21.9x 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
Independence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Independence, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Independence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,095.8 | -83.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 572.0 | -32.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.2 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 89.8 | -31.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 75.7 | +259.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 396.6 | -268.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,523.7 | -51.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 407.4 | -112.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,301.5 | +17.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 814.8 | +44.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Independence safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,096 for Independence — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Independence has 572.0. 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 Independence, MO
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 120,271, Independence has a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents.