Is Chicago or New Canaan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Canaan is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 82/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 787 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 80% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New Canaan has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 125.8x 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
New Canaan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New Canaan, CT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New Canaan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 786.7 | +3,225.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 9.5 | +530.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 4.8 | +54.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 4.8 | +123.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 777.2 | +2,695.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 76.3 | +218.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 510.2 | +1,808.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 190.7 | +668.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New Canaan safer?
New Canaan is safer with a total crime rate of 787 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New Canaan has 9.5. New Canaan 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 Canaan, CT
New Canaan, a wealthy Fairfield County suburb, is known for its mid-century modern architecture. Situated near the Merritt Parkway, its affluent residents enjoy a quiet, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 20,973, New Canaan has a total crime rate of 786.7 per 100,000 residents.