Is Chicago or Oshkosh Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oshkosh is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 50/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,685 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 58% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oshkosh has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.0x 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
Oshkosh — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Oshkosh, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Oshkosh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,685.0 | +2,327.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 233.4 | +306.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.1 | +11.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 34.9 | +23.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 15.2 | +320.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 175.8 | -47.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,451.7 | +2,020.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 153.0 | +141.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,222.8 | +1,095.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 75.8 | +783.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Oshkosh safer?
Oshkosh is safer with a total crime rate of 1,685 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Oshkosh has 233.4. Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh, WI
Oshkosh, a city of 66,000 in eastern Wisconsin, sits along Lake Winnebago. It's known for the EAA AirVenture, an annual aviation celebration. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 65,994, Oshkosh has a total crime rate of 1,685.0 per 100,000 residents.