Is Chicago or Paducah Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Paducah is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 24% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Paducah has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 99.1x 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
Paducah — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Paducah, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Paducah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,064.9 | +947.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 270.4 | +269.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.8 | +13.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 71.4 | -12.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 41.3 | +294.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 154.0 | -25.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,794.5 | +677.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 232.9 | +61.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,249.9 | +68.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 311.8 | +547.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Paducah safer?
Paducah is safer with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Paducah has 270.4. Paducah 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 Paducah, KY
Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City known for its vibrant arts, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. This McCracken County seat in Western Kentucky has a population of around 27,000. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Paducah has a total crime rate of 3,064.9 per 100,000 residents.