Is Chicago or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 33.8x 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
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,082.8 | +929.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 613.0 | -73.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 16.7 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 52.6 | +6.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 64.1 | +271.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 479.6 | -351.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,469.8 | +1,002.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 613.0 | -318.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,651.7 | +667.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 205.2 | +653.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. 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 Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.