Is Chicago or New Britain Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Britain is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 32/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,347 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 42% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Britain has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 35.4x 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 Britain — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New Britain, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New Britain | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,346.8 | +1,665.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 421.3 | +118.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.0 | +13.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 45.6 | +13.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 65.8 | +269.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 305.9 | -177.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,925.5 | +1,546.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 130.2 | +164.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,308.2 | +1,010.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 487.1 | +371.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New Britain safer?
New Britain is safer with a total crime rate of 2,347 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New Britain has 421.3. New Britain 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 Britain, CT
New Britain, "Hardware City," was a manufacturing hub known for Stanley Black & Decker. This city in central Connecticut is home to a significant Polish-American population. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 74,528, New Britain has a total crime rate of 2,346.8 per 100,000 residents.