Is Chicago or Newark Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newark is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 33/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,308 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 Newark has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 87.9x 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
Newark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Newark, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Newark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,307.7 | +1,704.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 309.7 | +230.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.3 | +14.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 23.3 | +35.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 23.3 | +312.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 259.7 | -131.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,998.0 | +1,474.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 179.8 | +115.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,611.7 | +707.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 206.5 | +652.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Newark safer?
Newark is safer with a total crime rate of 2,308 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 Newark has 309.7. 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, DE
Newark, Delaware, home to the University of Delaware, is a college town situated in northern New Castle County. Its historic Main Street is a vibrant hub for students and residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 30,030, Newark has a total crime rate of 2,307.7 per 100,000 residents.