Is Chicago or Kinston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Kinston (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,938 for Kinston — 32% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kinston has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 136.7x 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
Kinston — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Kinston, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Kinston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,938.4 | -1,926.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 974.2 | -434.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 20.7 | -3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 77.7 | -19.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 82.9 | +252.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 777.3 | -649.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,964.2 | -1,491.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 994.9 | -700.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,725.8 | -1,407.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 243.6 | +615.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Kinston safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,938 for Kinston — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Kinston has 974.2. 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 Kinston, NC
Kinston, a historic city in eastern North Carolina, is home to the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center. This Lenoir County seat has a population of around 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 19,298, Kinston has a total crime rate of 5,938.4 per 100,000 residents.