Is Chicago or Madisonville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Madisonville is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 86/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 689 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 83% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Madisonville has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 136.8x 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
Madisonville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Madisonville, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Madisonville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 689.3 | +3,322.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 98.5 | +441.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.2 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 20.7 | +38.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 10.4 | +324.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 51.8 | +76.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 590.9 | +2,881.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 119.2 | +175.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 388.7 | +1,930.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 82.9 | +775.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Madisonville safer?
Madisonville is safer with a total crime rate of 689 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Madisonville has 98.5. Madisonville 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 Madisonville, KY
Madisonville, Kentucky, the "Best Town on Earth," is the county seat of Hopkins County in Western Kentucky. Located along I-69, it's a small city with a population around 19,000, known for its coal mining history and as the birthplace of musicians like Merle Travis. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 19,294, Madisonville has a total crime rate of 689.3 per 100,000 residents.