Is Chicago or Jonesboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Jonesboro is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,765 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 6% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Jonesboro has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 32.5x 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
Jonesboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Jonesboro, AR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Jonesboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,764.7 | +247.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 720.0 | -180.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.2 | +11.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 103.4 | -44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 61.5 | +273.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 548.9 | -420.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,044.7 | +427.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 929.2 | -634.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,892.8 | +426.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 222.8 | +636.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Jonesboro safer?
Jonesboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,765 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Jonesboro has 720.0. 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 Jonesboro, AR
Jonesboro, a regional hub in Northeast Arkansas, sits at the intersection of the Ozark Foothills and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Home to Arkansas State University, it blends agricultural heritage with a growing urban landscape. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 81,256, Jonesboro has a total crime rate of 3,764.7 per 100,000 residents.