Is Chicago or Ponca City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ponca City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ponca City has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 108.7x 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
Ponca City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ponca City, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ponca City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,080.0 | +932.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 576.5 | -36.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.2 | +9.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 86.5 | -27.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 41.2 | +294.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 440.6 | -312.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,503.5 | +968.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 584.7 | -289.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,626.5 | +692.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 292.4 | +566.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ponca City safer?
Ponca City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 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 Ponca City has 576.5. 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 Ponca City, OK
Ponca City, a northern Oklahoma community, was founded during the Cherokee Outlet Land Run. It boasts a diverse population of around 24,000, situated along the Arkansas River. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 24,286, Ponca City has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 per 100,000 residents.