Is Chicago or Marquette Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Marquette is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 85/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 697 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 murder, where Marquette has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 124.2x 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
Marquette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Marquette, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Marquette | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 696.6 | +3,315.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 188.3 | +351.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 65.9 | -7.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 122.4 | +5.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 508.4 | +2,964.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 42.4 | +252.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 461.3 | +1,857.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 4.7 | +854.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Marquette safer?
Marquette is safer with a total crime rate of 697 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 Marquette has 188.3. Marquette 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 Marquette, MI
Marquette, Michigan, a port city on Lake Superior, was once a major hub for iron ore shipping. Its population of around 20,000 is largely of European descent, with strong Finnish and Swedish influences. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 21,245, Marquette has a total crime rate of 696.6 per 100,000 residents.