Is Chicago or Oak Forest Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oak Forest is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 91/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 527 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 87% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oak Forest has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 102.2x 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
Oak Forest — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Oak Forest, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Oak Forest | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 526.7 | +3,485.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 89.1 | +450.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 7.8 | +51.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 23.2 | +312.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 58.1 | +70.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 437.6 | +3,034.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 127.8 | +167.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 271.1 | +2,047.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 38.7 | +820.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Oak Forest safer?
Oak Forest is safer with a total crime rate of 527 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Oak Forest has 89.1. Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest, IL
Oak Forest, a southwest suburb of Chicago, grew around the Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County established in 1910. Its residents are primarily white, with a notable Hispanic population. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 25,823, Oak Forest has a total crime rate of 526.7 per 100,000 residents.