Is Chicago or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 45% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Richmond has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 69.3x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Richmond, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,188.0 | +1,824.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 215.4 | +324.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.3 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 57.8 | +1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 47.3 | +288.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 105.1 | +23.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,972.6 | +1,499.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 328.3 | -33.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,457.8 | +861.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 186.5 | +672.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 2,188 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 Richmond has 215.4. Richmond 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 Richmond, KY
Richmond, Kentucky, home to Eastern Kentucky University, is a city in Madison County, located in the Bluegrass region. Its population was over 36,000 in 2020. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 38,072, Richmond has a total crime rate of 2,188.0 per 100,000 residents.