Is Chicago or Madison Heights Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison Heights is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 48/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,735 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 57% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison Heights has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 93.6x 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
Madison Heights — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Madison Heights, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Madison Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,734.8 | +2,277.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 276.7 | +263.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.1 | +10.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 21.3 | +37.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 28.4 | +306.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 220.0 | -91.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,458.1 | +2,014.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 113.5 | +181.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,096.2 | +1,222.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 248.3 | +610.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Madison Heights safer?
Madison Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 1,735 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Madison Heights has 276.7. Madison Heights 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 Madison Heights, MI
Madison Heights, a suburb of Detroit, was once known as the "City of Churches." It's a landlocked community in Oakland County, primarily residential with a significant commercial corridor along John R Road. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 28,188, Madison Heights has a total crime rate of 1,734.8 per 100,000 residents.