Is Chicago or Ithaca Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ithaca is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,412 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 15% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ithaca has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 78.4x 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
Ithaca — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ithaca, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ithaca | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,412.0 | +600.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 196.2 | +343.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.0 | +14.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 17.8 | +41.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 47.6 | +287.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 127.8 | +0.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,215.8 | +256.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 329.9 | -35.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,838.4 | -519.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 47.6 | +811.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ithaca safer?
Ithaca is safer with a total crime rate of 3,412 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ithaca has 196.2. Ithaca 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 Ithaca, NY
Ithaca, home to Cornell University, is a city nestled in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Its dramatic gorges and waterfalls are a defining geographic feature, and its population is relatively young due to the presence of two colleges. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 33,646, Ithaca has a total crime rate of 3,412.0 per 100,000 residents.