Is Chicago or Newark Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Newark (Safety Score 8/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,346 for Newark — 8% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newark has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 56.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Newark, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Newark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,345.7 | -333.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 383.0 | +156.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.1 | +15.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 15.0 | +43.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 128.4 | +206.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 235.4 | -107.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,962.7 | -490.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 457.9 | -163.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,608.3 | -289.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 896.5 | -37.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Newark safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,346 for Newark — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Newark has 383.0. Newark 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 Newark, CA
Newark, California, a city in Alameda County, was incorporated in 1955 and is named after Newark, New Jersey. Situated on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 46,736, Newark has a total crime rate of 4,345.7 per 100,000 residents.