Is Chicago or Jamestown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jamestown is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 20/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,939 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 27% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jamestown has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 95.1x 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
Jamestown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Jamestown, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Jamestown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,938.5 | +1,073.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 623.8 | -83.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 18.0 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 79.3 | -20.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 86.5 | +248.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 436.3 | -308.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,314.8 | +1,157.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 447.1 | -152.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,802.8 | +516.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 64.9 | +794.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Jamestown safer?
Jamestown is safer with a total crime rate of 2,939 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Jamestown has 623.8. 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 Jamestown, NY
Jamestown, New York, a city in Chautauqua County, is famously the hometown of Lucille Ball. Nestled in the southwestern corner of New York State, it sits on the southern end of Chautauqua Lake. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 27,735, Jamestown has a total crime rate of 2,938.5 per 100,000 residents.