Is Chicago or Prior Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Prior Lake is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 67/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 71% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Prior Lake has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 93.7x 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
Prior Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Prior Lake, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Prior Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,178.9 | +2,833.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 106.5 | +433.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.6 | +13.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 32.0 | +26.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 7.1 | +328.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 63.9 | +64.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,072.3 | +2,400.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 63.9 | +230.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 955.2 | +1,363.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 53.3 | +805.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Prior Lake safer?
Prior Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,179 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Prior Lake has 106.5. Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake, MN
Prior Lake, Minnesota, a southern suburb of Minneapolis, is named for its large lake and is home to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It's a growing, affluent community with a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 28,163, Prior Lake has a total crime rate of 1,178.9 per 100,000 residents.