Is Chicago or Omaha Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Omaha is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,534 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 12% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Omaha has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 5.5x 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
Omaha — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Omaha, NE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Omaha | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,534.3 | +477.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 372.5 | +167.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.0 | +13.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 46.2 | +12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 46.9 | +288.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 272.0 | -143.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,161.8 | +310.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 235.9 | +58.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,264.3 | +54.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 661.6 | +197.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Omaha safer?
Omaha is safer with a total crime rate of 3,534 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Omaha has 372.5. Omaha 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 Omaha, NE
Omaha, Nebraska, a Midwest hub known for its historic Old Market, sits on the Missouri River. This city of over 480,000 residents is also home to four Fortune 500 companies. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 480,235, Omaha has a total crime rate of 3,534.3 per 100,000 residents.