Is Chicago or Lawrence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 59/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 64% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 29.4x 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
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lawrence, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lawrence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,438.6 | +2,573.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 439.7 | +100.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.8 | +9.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 31.3 | +27.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 52.5 | +282.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 348.2 | -219.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 998.9 | +2,473.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 72.5 | +222.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 851.6 | +1,467.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 74.8 | +784.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lawrence safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lawrence has 439.7. Lawrence 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 Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 per 100,000 residents.