Is Chicago or Lewiston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lewiston is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 47/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 56% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lewiston has a 85% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 67.9x 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
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lewiston, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lewiston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,773.5 | +2,238.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 244.5 | +295.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.6 | +14.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 66.9 | -8.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 59.2 | +276.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 115.8 | +12.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,529.0 | +1,943.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 164.7 | +130.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,245.8 | +1,072.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 118.4 | +740.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lewiston safer?
Lewiston is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lewiston has 244.5. Lewiston 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 Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, a former mill town on the Androscoggin River, is known for its Franco-American heritage and the Bates College campus. It's Maine's second-largest city by population. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 38,850, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,773.5 per 100,000 residents.