Is Chicago or Salisbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Salisbury (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,947 for Salisbury — 19% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Salisbury has a 57% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 72.2x 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
Salisbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Salisbury, NC
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Salisbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,947.5 | -935.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 960.0 | -420.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 30.1 | -12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 57.4 | +1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 145.0 | +190.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 727.5 | -599.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,987.5 | -515.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 402.0 | -107.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,762.3 | -443.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 823.2 | +35.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Salisbury safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,947 for Salisbury — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Salisbury has 960.0. 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 Salisbury, NC
Salisbury, NC, home to Cheerwine, is a city of over 35,000 residents in Rowan County. It sits in the Piedmont region, roughly midway between Charlotte and Greensboro. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 36,564, Salisbury has a total crime rate of 4,947.5 per 100,000 residents.