Is Chicago or Ottumwa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ottumwa is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 25% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ottumwa has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 104.8x 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
Ottumwa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ottumwa, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ottumwa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,013.7 | +998.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 397.1 | +142.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.9 | +9.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 83.4 | -24.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 27.8 | +307.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 277.9 | -149.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,616.6 | +855.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 428.8 | -134.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,945.6 | +373.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 242.2 | +616.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ottumwa safer?
Ottumwa is safer with a total crime rate of 3,014 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ottumwa has 397.1. Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, IA
Ottumwa, once a prominent coal mining center and home to the Beach Ottumwa water park, is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, situated along the Des Moines River. Its population was around 25,000 residents in 2020. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 25,185, Ottumwa has a total crime rate of 3,013.7 per 100,000 residents.