Is Chicago or Laurel Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Laurel (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,840 for Laurel — 17% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Laurel has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 155.9x 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
Laurel — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Laurel, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Laurel | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,839.9 | -827.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,051.9 | -512.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 23.6 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 100.5 | -41.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 94.6 | +240.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 833.2 | -704.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,788.0 | -315.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 715.1 | -420.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,700.6 | -381.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 372.3 | +486.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Laurel safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,840 for Laurel — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Laurel has 1,051.9. 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 Laurel, MS
Laurel, Mississippi, a city in Jones County, is known for its historic downtown, featured in a popular home renovation show. Situated in the Pine Belt region, it has a population of around 18,000 residents. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 16,922, Laurel has a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents.