Is Chicago or New Berlin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Berlin is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 72/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,055 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 74% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Berlin has a 99% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 65.7x 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
New Berlin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New Berlin, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New Berlin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,055.1 | +2,957.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 62.2 | +477.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.5 | +15.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 24.9 | +33.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 2.5 | +332.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 32.4 | +96.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 992.9 | +2,479.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 44.8 | +250.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 918.2 | +1,400.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 29.9 | +829.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New Berlin safer?
New Berlin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,055 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New Berlin has 62.2. New Berlin 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 New Berlin, WI
New Berlin, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb, was once known for its abundant limestone quarries. Today, it's a largely residential community spanning over 36 square miles in Waukesha County. With a safety score of 72/100 and a population coverage of 40,186, New Berlin has a total crime rate of 1,055.1 per 100,000 residents.