Is Chicago or Lima Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Lima (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,130 for Lima — 3% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lima has a 77% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 76.4x 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
Lima — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lima, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lima | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,130.0 | -117.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 761.2 | -221.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 17.4 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 133.1 | -74.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 78.1 | +257.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 529.6 | -401.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,368.8 | +103.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 671.5 | -376.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,454.3 | -135.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 243.1 | +615.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Lima safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,130 for Lima — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lima has 761.2. 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 Lima, OH
Lima, Ohio, a city in Allen County, was once a major railroad hub. Situated along the Ottawa River, its population is around 35,000. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 34,552, Lima has a total crime rate of 4,130.0 per 100,000 residents.