Is Chicago or Lawton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawton is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 13% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawton has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 29.3x 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
Lawton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lawton, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lawton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,473.1 | +539.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 820.3 | -280.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 10.0 | +7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 143.0 | -84.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 72.1 | +263.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 595.3 | -467.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,652.7 | +819.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 931.2 | -636.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,491.0 | +827.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 230.6 | +628.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lawton safer?
Lawton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,473 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lawton has 820.3. 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 Lawton, OK
Lawton, Oklahoma, is home to Fort Sill, a significant U.S. Army post with a rich history. Located in southwestern Oklahoma, the city is the county seat of Comanche County and a regional hub for the surrounding rural areas. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 90,209, Lawton has a total crime rate of 3,473.1 per 100,000 residents.