Is Chicago or Jefferson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jefferson is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 92/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 493 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 88% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Jefferson has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 158.5x 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
Jefferson — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Jefferson, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Jefferson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 492.7 | +3,519.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 36.1 | +503.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 18.0 | +40.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 18.0 | +110.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 456.7 | +3,015.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 36.1 | +258.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 390.6 | +1,928.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 30.0 | +828.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Jefferson safer?
Jefferson is safer with a total crime rate of 493 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Jefferson has 36.1. Jefferson 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 Jefferson, GA
Jefferson, Georgia, named for Thomas Jefferson, is a small city in Jackson County. Located northeast of Atlanta, it's home to a historic downtown square and a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 16,643, Jefferson has a total crime rate of 492.7 per 100,000 residents.