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Chicago vs Pontiac Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Pontiac crime rate

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Is Chicago or Pontiac Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Pontiac is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 53/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 60% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Pontiac has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 240.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chicago, IL?

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Pontiac — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

Pontiac, IL

Pontiac, IL
Safety Score 53/100
Coverage 10,958
Total Crime Rate 1,597.0
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Pontiac Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,597.0 +2,415.2
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 237.3 +302.6
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 109.5 -50.7
Robbery Rate 335.3 0.0 +335.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 127.8 +0.6
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,359.7 +2,112.7
Burglary Rate 294.8 109.5 +185.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,204.6 +1,114.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 45.6 +813.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Chicago, IL to Pontiac, IL?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago or Pontiac safer?

Pontiac is safer with a total crime rate of 1,597 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 60% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Pontiac has 237.3. Pontiac 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 Pontiac, IL

Pontiac, Illinois, the county seat of Livingston County, is a small city on the Vermilion River. It's home to several historic Route 66 attractions and has a population of around 11,000. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 10,958, Pontiac has a total crime rate of 1,597.0 per 100,000 residents.

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