Is Chicago or Pittsburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pittsburg is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 9/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,860 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pittsburg has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 128.9x 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
Pittsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Pittsburg, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Pittsburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,860.3 | +152.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 366.5 | +173.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.9 | +12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 39.1 | +19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 29.3 | +306.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 293.2 | -164.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,493.8 | -21.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 351.8 | -57.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,829.2 | -510.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 312.7 | +546.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Pittsburg safer?
Pittsburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,860 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Pittsburg has 366.5. Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg, Kansas, a city in Crawford County, was founded as a coal mining town in the late 19th century. Home to Pittsburg State University, it's a regional hub in Southeast Kansas with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 20,465, Pittsburg has a total crime rate of 3,860.3 per 100,000 residents.