Is Chicago or Kirkland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Kirkland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,073 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 48% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kirkland has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 29.1x 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
Kirkland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Kirkland, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Kirkland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,073.1 | +1,939.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 60.7 | +479.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.1 | +16.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 14.3 | +44.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 9.9 | +325.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 35.3 | +93.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,012.4 | +1,460.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 222.7 | +72.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,543.8 | +775.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 245.9 | +613.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Kirkland safer?
Kirkland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,073 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Kirkland has 60.7. Kirkland 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 Kirkland, WA
Kirkland, a city on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, boasts a vibrant waterfront and arts scene. Once a major steel producer, it's now a affluent residential community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 90,687, Kirkland has a total crime rate of 2,073.1 per 100,000 residents.