Is Chicago or Pottstown Borough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pottstown Borough is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,842 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pottstown Borough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 113.1x 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
Pottstown Borough — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Pottstown Borough, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Pottstown Borough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,841.5 | +170.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 737.4 | -197.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 107.2 | -48.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 128.6 | +206.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 501.6 | -373.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,104.1 | +368.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 287.3 | +7.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,602.5 | -283.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 214.4 | +644.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Pottstown Borough safer?
Pottstown Borough is safer with a total crime rate of 3,842 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Pottstown Borough has 737.4. 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 Pottstown Borough, PA
Pottstown Borough, a former iron-making center with a rich industrial past, sits along the Schuylkill River in southeastern Pennsylvania. This diverse community of around 23,000 residents features historic architecture and a vibrant downtown. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 23,324, Pottstown Borough has a total crime rate of 3,841.5 per 100,000 residents.