Is Chicago or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 47/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 56% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 169.0x 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
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Newton, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,774.4 | +2,237.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 384.3 | +155.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 89.7 | -30.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 25.6 | +309.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 269.0 | -140.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,390.1 | +2,082.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 249.8 | +45.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,076.2 | +1,242.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 64.1 | +794.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Newton safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,774 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Newton has 384.3. Newton 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 Newton, IA
Newton, Iowa, a city in Jasper County, is known as the former home of Maytag. Located east of Des Moines, its population was 15,760 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 15,611, Newton has a total crime rate of 1,774.4 per 100,000 residents.