Is Chicago or Rock Island Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rock Island is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,259 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 19% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rock Island has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 73.6x 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
Rock Island — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Rock Island, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Rock Island | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,258.8 | +753.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 544.1 | -4.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.6 | +11.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 11.2 | +47.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 14.0 | +321.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 513.4 | -385.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,714.8 | +757.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 920.7 | -626.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,155.1 | +1,163.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 638.9 | +219.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Rock Island safer?
Rock Island is safer with a total crime rate of 3,259 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Rock Island has 544.1. 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 Rock Island, IL
Rock Island, a city along the Mississippi River, is part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area. It's home to Augustana College and has a rich history as a manufacturing and transportation hub. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 35,841, Rock Island has a total crime rate of 3,258.8 per 100,000 residents.