Is Chicago or Indianapolis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Indianapolis (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,214 for Indianapolis — 5% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Indianapolis has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 3.0x 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
Indianapolis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Indianapolis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,214.4 | -202.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 878.3 | -338.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 20.0 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 59.2 | -0.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 143.2 | +192.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 655.6 | -527.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,336.1 | +136.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 517.9 | -223.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,072.1 | +246.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 746.1 | +112.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Indianapolis safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,214 for Indianapolis — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Indianapolis has 878.3. 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.