Is Chicago or Long Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Long Beach is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 99/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 182 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 95% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Long Beach has a 98% 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.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Long Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Long Beach, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Long Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 182.5 | +3,829.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 78.2 | +461.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.9 | +14.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 2.9 | +55.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 5.8 | +329.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 66.6 | +61.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 104.3 | +3,368.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 14.5 | +280.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 86.9 | +2,231.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 2.9 | +856.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Long Beach safer?
Long Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 182 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Long Beach has 78.2. Long Beach 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 Long Beach, NY
Long Beach, New York, a barrier island city, was founded as a resort town in 1907. Its iconic boardwalk stretches for miles along the Atlantic Ocean, attracting a diverse year-round population. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 34,527, Long Beach has a total crime rate of 182.5 per 100,000 residents.