Is Chicago or New Bern Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Bern is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 41/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 51% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Bern has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 81.1x 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 Bern — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New Bern, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New Bern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,978.6 | +2,033.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 362.5 | +177.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 12.3 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 33.8 | +25.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 43.0 | +292.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 273.4 | -145.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,616.1 | +1,856.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 273.4 | +21.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,293.5 | +1,025.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 49.2 | +809.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New Bern safer?
New Bern is safer with a total crime rate of 1,979 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New Bern has 362.5. New Bern 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 Bern, NC
New Bern, North Carolina, a colonial capital, sits at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. This Craven County seat is home to Tryon Palace and a population of around 30,000. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 32,548, New Bern has a total crime rate of 1,978.6 per 100,000 residents.