Is Chicago or Ozark Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ozark is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,449 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 14% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ozark has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 183.9x 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
Ozark — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ozark, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ozark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,449.5 | +562.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 439.0 | +100.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 13.9 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 48.8 | +10.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 27.9 | +307.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 348.4 | -220.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,010.5 | +461.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 341.5 | -46.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,446.0 | -127.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 223.0 | +635.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ozark safer?
Ozark is safer with a total crime rate of 3,449 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ozark has 439.0. Ozark 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 Ozark, AL
Ozark, Alabama, a city of around 14,000 in Dale County, is named for the Ozark Mountains despite being far from them. It's home to the annual Claybank Jamboree, celebrating local heritage. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 14,350, Ozark has a total crime rate of 3,449.5 per 100,000 residents.