Is Chicago or Kent Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Kent (Safety Score 8/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,261 for Kent — 6% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Kent has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 19.9x 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
Kent — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Kent, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Kent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,260.8 | -248.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 489.7 | +50.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.3 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 64.2 | -5.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 144.3 | +190.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 275.8 | -147.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,771.1 | -298.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 690.7 | -396.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,149.3 | +169.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 931.1 | -72.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Kent safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,261 for Kent — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Kent has 489.7. Kent 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 Kent, WA
Kent, Washington, a diverse city in the Green River Valley, was once a major agricultural producer, especially known for hops. It's now the fourth largest city in King County by population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 132,324, Kent has a total crime rate of 4,260.8 per 100,000 residents.