Is Chicago or Oxford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oxford is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 78/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 900 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 78% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oxford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 194.8x 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
Oxford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Oxford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Oxford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 900.4 | +3,111.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 236.2 | +303.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 36.9 | +21.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 14.8 | +320.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 184.5 | -56.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 664.3 | +2,808.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 125.5 | +169.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 479.7 | +1,839.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 59.0 | +799.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Oxford safer?
Oxford is safer with a total crime rate of 900 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Oxford has 236.2. Oxford 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 Oxford, MA
Oxford, Massachusetts, birthplace of Clara Barton, is a small town in Worcester County. Situated along the French River, it's home to a population of around 14,000 residents. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 13,549, Oxford has a total crime rate of 900.4 per 100,000 residents.