Is Chicago or Racine Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Racine is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 56/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,498 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 63% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Racine has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 34.6x 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
Racine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Racine, WI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Racine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,497.8 | +2,514.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 385.6 | +154.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.3 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 78.7 | -19.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 61.7 | +273.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 237.4 | -109.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,112.2 | +2,360.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 200.7 | +94.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 722.7 | +1,596.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 188.9 | +670.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Racine safer?
Racine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,498 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Racine has 385.6. Racine 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 Racine, WI
Racine, settled at the mouth of the Root River on Lake Michigan, boasts a rich Danish heritage and is home to the SC Johnson Headquarters, a landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its population is around 77,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 76,243, Racine has a total crime rate of 1,497.8 per 100,000 residents.