Is Chicago or Olean Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Olean (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,136 for Olean — 3% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Olean has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 194.5x 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
Olean — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Olean, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Olean | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,136.0 | -123.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 346.5 | +193.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 14.7 | +44.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 103.2 | +232.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 228.6 | -100.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,789.4 | -317.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 339.1 | -44.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,361.8 | -1,043.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 88.5 | +770.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Olean safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,136 for Olean — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Olean has 346.5. Olean 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 Olean, NY
Olean, a Cattaraugus County city, was once a major oil refining center. Situated in a valley, it is the largest community in its county. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 13,564, Olean has a total crime rate of 4,136.0 per 100,000 residents.