Is Chicago or Northampton Borough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northampton Borough is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 96/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 394 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 90% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northampton Borough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 253.4x 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
Northampton Borough — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Northampton Borough, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Northampton Borough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 393.7 | +3,618.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 28.8 | +511.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 28.8 | +99.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 364.9 | +3,107.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 0.0 | +294.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 336.1 | +1,982.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 28.8 | +830.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Northampton Borough safer?
Northampton Borough is safer with a total crime rate of 394 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Northampton Borough has 28.8. Northampton Borough 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 Northampton Borough, PA
Northampton Borough, PA, a former cement industry hub, lies along the Lehigh River. This Lehigh Valley community, once home to Atlas Cement Company, has a population of around 10,000 residents. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 10,414, Northampton Borough has a total crime rate of 393.7 per 100,000 residents.
More Crime Rate Comparisons
Compare Chicago
Compare Northampton Borough
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