Is Chicago or Portland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 80/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 832 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 79% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 192.6x 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
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Portland, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 831.9 | +3,180.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 372.2 | +167.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 36.5 | +22.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 335.7 | -207.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 459.8 | +3,012.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 87.6 | +207.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 313.8 | +2,005.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 58.4 | +800.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Portland safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 832 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 79% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Portland has 372.2. Portland 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 Portland, TN
Portland, Tennessee, a small city in Sumner County, was once known as "The Strawberry Capital of the World." Situated near the Kentucky border, its population was 14,795 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 13,703, Portland has a total crime rate of 831.9 per 100,000 residents.