Is Chicago or Jackson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Jackson (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,810 for Jackson — 17% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jackson has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 85.9x 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
Jackson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Jackson, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Jackson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,810.5 | -798.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,074.8 | -534.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.8 | +7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 159.6 | -100.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 68.4 | +266.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 824.0 | -695.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,735.7 | -263.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 491.8 | -197.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,901.9 | -583.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 342.0 | +516.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Jackson safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,810 for Jackson — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Jackson has 1,074.8. 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 Jackson, MI
Jackson, Michigan, a city in the south-central Lower Peninsula, is historically known as the birthplace of the Republican Party. It has a diverse population of approximately 31,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 30,704, Jackson has a total crime rate of 4,810.5 per 100,000 residents.