Is Chicago or Parkersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Parkersburg is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 13% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Parkersburg has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 91.6x 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
Parkersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Parkersburg, WV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Parkersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,480.8 | +531.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 263.8 | +276.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 65.9 | -7.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 20.8 | +314.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 173.5 | -45.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,217.1 | +255.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 315.8 | -21.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,720.8 | -402.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 180.5 | +678.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Parkersburg safer?
Parkersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,481 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Parkersburg has 263.8. Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg, a city in Wood County, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. Once a key stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, it has a dwindling population of just under 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,815, Parkersburg has a total crime rate of 3,480.8 per 100,000 residents.