Is Chicago or Pendleton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pendleton is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pendleton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 151.8x 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
Pendleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Pendleton, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Pendleton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,089.8 | +922.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 408.5 | +131.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 103.6 | -44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 23.0 | +312.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 281.9 | -153.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,681.2 | +791.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 258.9 | +35.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,192.2 | +126.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 230.2 | +628.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Pendleton safer?
Pendleton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,090 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Pendleton has 408.5. Pendleton 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 Pendleton, OR
Pendleton, Oregon, a city of about 17,000 in Umatilla County, is famous for its annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo. Situated along the Umatilla River in Eastern Oregon, it was once a major wheat shipping hub. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 17,380, Pendleton has a total crime rate of 3,089.8 per 100,000 residents.