Is Chicago or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lexington is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,457 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 14% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lexington has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 132.6x 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
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lexington, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,457.5 | +554.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 437.2 | +102.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 15.1 | +2.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 40.2 | +18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 85.4 | +249.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 296.5 | -168.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,020.3 | +452.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 643.3 | -348.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,050.4 | +268.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 326.7 | +532.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lexington safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 3,457 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lexington has 437.2. 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.
About Lexington, NC
Lexington, a city in Davidson County, is renowned as the "Barbecue Capital of the World." Situated in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad, it's a small city with a population just under 20,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 19,899, Lexington has a total crime rate of 3,457.5 per 100,000 residents.