Is Chicago or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Salem is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 98/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 312 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 92% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 235.3x 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
Salem — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Salem, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 312.1 | +3,700.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 8.9 | +530.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 8.9 | +119.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 303.2 | +3,169.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 8.9 | +285.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 285.4 | +2,033.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 8.9 | +850.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 312 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Salem has 8.9. Salem 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 Salem, UT
Salem, Utah, named for Salem, Massachusetts, is a small city in Utah County, nestled in the southern part of Utah Valley. Its population of around 10,000 residents is predominantly white and Mormon. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 11,213, Salem has a total crime rate of 312.1 per 100,000 residents.