Is Chicago or Plum Borough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Plum Borough is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 99/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 214 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 95% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Plum Borough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 100.9x 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
Plum Borough — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Plum Borough, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Plum Borough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 214.2 | +3,798.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 61.2 | +478.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 3.8 | +331.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 57.4 | +71.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 153.0 | +3,319.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 65.0 | +229.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 84.2 | +2,234.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 3.8 | +855.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Plum Borough safer?
Plum Borough is safer with a total crime rate of 214 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Plum Borough has 61.2. Plum Borough 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 Plum Borough, PA
Plum Borough, a large suburban community east of Pittsburgh, was once home to numerous coal mines. This sprawling Allegheny County municipality boasts a significant Italian-American population. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 26,145, Plum Borough has a total crime rate of 214.2 per 100,000 residents.