Is Chicago or Lakewood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Lakewood (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,884 for Lakewood — 32% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lakewood has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 16.9x 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
Lakewood — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lakewood, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,883.8 | -1,871.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 790.4 | -250.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.6 | +14.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 59.7 | -0.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 137.9 | +197.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 587.0 | -458.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 5,093.4 | -1,621.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 588.3 | -293.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,732.0 | -1,413.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 773.1 | +85.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lakewood safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,884 for Lakewood — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lakewood has 790.4. 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 Lakewood, CO
Lakewood, Colorado, a city of over 150,000 residents, emerged from the historic Villa Park, annexed in 1955. It spans a diverse landscape at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 155,868, Lakewood has a total crime rate of 5,883.8 per 100,000 residents.