Is Chicago or Placerville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Placerville is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 37/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,107 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 47% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Placerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 248.2x 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
Placerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Placerville, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Placerville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,106.9 | +1,905.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 583.2 | -43.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 65.8 | -7.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 56.4 | +278.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 460.9 | -332.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,523.7 | +1,948.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 319.8 | -25.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,100.5 | +1,218.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 103.5 | +755.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Placerville safer?
Placerville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,107 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Placerville has 583.2. Chicago 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 Placerville, CA
Placerville, once "Hangtown" during the Gold Rush, is a historic city in El Dorado County. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, its population is around 12,000 residents. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 10,632, Placerville has a total crime rate of 2,106.9 per 100,000 residents.