Is Chicago or New Castle City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Castle City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 69/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,120 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 72% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Castle City 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
New Castle City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New Castle City, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New Castle City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,119.9 | +2,892.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 84.7 | +455.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 9.4 | +8.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 75.3 | +53.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,035.2 | +2,437.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 211.7 | +83.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 715.2 | +1,603.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 108.2 | +750.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New Castle City safer?
New Castle City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,120 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New Castle City has 84.7. New Castle City 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 Castle City, PA
New Castle, PA, once a significant tin plate producer, sits in Lawrence County near the Ohio border. This Rust Belt city is characterized by its aging infrastructure and a shrinking, predominantly white population. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 21,252, New Castle City has a total crime rate of 1,119.9 per 100,000 residents.