Is Chicago or Saginaw Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Saginaw (Safety Score 8/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,170 for Saginaw — 4% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 61.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Saginaw — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Saginaw, MI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Saginaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,169.8 | -157.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 2,210.8 | -1,671.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 44.3 | -26.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 132.9 | -74.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 135.3 | +200.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 1,889.0 | -1,760.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,959.0 | +1,513.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 536.4 | -241.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,128.7 | +1,190.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 293.8 | +565.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Saginaw safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,170 for Saginaw — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Saginaw has 2,210.8. 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 Saginaw, MI
Saginaw, once a major lumbering center, is a city in Michigan's Lower Peninsula along the Saginaw River. It is a diverse community with a notable African American population. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 42,880, Saginaw has a total crime rate of 4,169.8 per 100,000 residents.