Is Chicago or Madison Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madison is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 94/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 445 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 89% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madison has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 94.0x 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 — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Madison, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 445.4 | +3,566.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 57.0 | +482.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.1 | +10.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 3.6 | +55.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 46.3 | +82.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 388.4 | +3,084.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 14.3 | +280.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 370.6 | +1,948.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 3.6 | +855.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Madison safer?
Madison is safer with a total crime rate of 445 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 89% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Madison has 57.0. Madison 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, MS
Madison, Mississippi, a growing suburb of Jackson, is known for its affluent communities and the Natchez Trace Parkway running through it. The city's demographic profile includes a high percentage of families and a median household income well above the state average. With a safety score of 94/100 and a population coverage of 28,064, Madison has a total crime rate of 445.4 per 100,000 residents.