Is Chicago or Oswego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Oswego is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 9/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,893 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 3% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oswego has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 154.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oswego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Oswego, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Oswego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,892.6 | +119.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 340.0 | +199.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.9 | +11.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 41.0 | +17.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 46.9 | +288.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 246.2 | -117.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,552.6 | -80.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 779.7 | -484.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,638.1 | -319.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 134.8 | +724.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Oswego safer?
Oswego is safer with a total crime rate of 3,893 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Oswego has 340.0. Oswego 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 Oswego, NY
Oswego, a port city on Lake Ontario, was vital during the French and Indian War. Its population is around 17,000, with a significant portion tied to SUNY Oswego. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 17,058, Oswego has a total crime rate of 3,892.6 per 100,000 residents.