Is Chicago or Richland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richland is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 45% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richland has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.8x 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
Richland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Richland, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Richland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,190.4 | +1,821.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 250.3 | +289.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.5 | +15.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 61.8 | -3.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 32.4 | +302.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 154.5 | -26.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,940.2 | +1,532.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 233.3 | +61.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,432.0 | +886.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 275.0 | +583.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Richland safer?
Richland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,190 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Richland has 250.3. Richland 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 Richland, WA
Richland, a city in southeastern Washington at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers, was a key site for the Manhattan Project. Its population is around 60,000, with a notable number of engineers and scientists. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 64,736, Richland has a total crime rate of 2,190.4 per 100,000 residents.