Is Chicago or Lafayette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 8/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 26% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lafayette has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 21.7x 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
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lafayette, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lafayette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,413.6 | -1,401.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,066.1 | -526.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 14.8 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 33.8 | +25.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 69.2 | +266.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 948.4 | -820.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,347.5 | -875.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 661.1 | -366.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,227.9 | -909.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 458.6 | +400.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lafayette safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lafayette has 1,066.1. 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 Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents.