Is Chicago or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 28/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 37% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lexington has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 8.2x 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
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lexington, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,536.4 | +1,475.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 262.0 | +277.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.0 | +12.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 51.7 | +7.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 79.5 | +255.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 125.9 | +2.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,274.4 | +1,198.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 264.8 | +30.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,728.4 | +590.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 281.2 | +577.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lexington safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lexington has 262.0. Lexington 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.