Is Chicago or Norwalk Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norwalk is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 87/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 653 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 84% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwalk has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 153.7x 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
Norwalk — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Norwalk | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 652.5 | +3,359.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 40.8 | +499.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 17.5 | +41.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 23.3 | +105.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 611.8 | +2,860.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 35.0 | +259.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 559.3 | +1,759.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 17.5 | +841.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Norwalk safer?
Norwalk is safer with a total crime rate of 653 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 84% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Norwalk has 40.8. Norwalk 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 Norwalk, OH
Norwalk, the "Maple City," is a county seat in Huron County, Ohio. Situated roughly halfway between Cleveland and Toledo, its population was 17,012 as of 2020. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 17,164, Norwalk has a total crime rate of 652.5 per 100,000 residents.