Is Chicago or Lansing Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lansing is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 9/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,845 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lansing has a 71% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 23.6x 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
Lansing — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lansing, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lansing | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,845.0 | +167.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,346.0 | -806.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.8 | +7.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 104.5 | -45.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 96.5 | +238.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 1,134.3 | -1,006.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,499.0 | +973.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 421.6 | -126.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,429.0 | +889.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 648.4 | +210.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lansing safer?
Lansing is safer with a total crime rate of 3,845 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lansing has 1,346.0. 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 Lansing, MI
Lansing, Michigan's capital, is a diverse city bisected by the Grand River. Home to Michigan State University, it blends government and academic influences with a developing urban core. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 111,965, Lansing has a total crime rate of 3,845.0 per 100,000 residents.