Is Chicago or Ruston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ruston is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 16% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ruston has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 118.5x 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
Ruston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ruston, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ruston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,387.4 | +624.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 431.3 | +108.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 13.5 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 22.5 | +36.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 40.4 | +294.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 350.4 | -222.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,956.1 | +516.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 359.4 | -64.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,412.5 | -93.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 184.2 | +674.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ruston safer?
Ruston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ruston has 431.3. Ruston 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 Ruston, LA
Ruston, Louisiana, is home to Louisiana Tech University, a public research institution. Situated in Lincoln Parish, it's a small city in north-central Louisiana, known for its annual Peach Festival. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 22,259, Ruston has a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents.