Is Chicago or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 33/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,287 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 43% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 145.4x 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, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,286.9 | +1,725.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 617.2 | -77.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 77.2 | -18.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 77.2 | +258.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 462.9 | -334.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,669.7 | +1,802.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 303.1 | -8.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,201.3 | +1,117.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 165.3 | +693.6 |
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 2,287 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Newton has 617.2. Chicago 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, KS
Newton, Kansas, the "Railroad Capital of Kansas," began as a wild cowtown on the Santa Fe Trail. Located in Harvey County, it's a small city with a population just under 20,000. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 18,147, Newton has a total crime rate of 2,286.9 per 100,000 residents.