Is Chicago or Salt Lake City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Salt Lake City (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 6,064 for Salt Lake City — 34% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Salt Lake City has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 12.4x 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
Salt Lake City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Salt Lake City, UT
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Salt Lake City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 6,064.2 | -2,051.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 864.2 | -324.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.2 | +12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 158.5 | -99.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 183.4 | +151.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 517.2 | -388.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 5,200.0 | -1,727.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 551.1 | -256.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 4,184.8 | -1,866.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 464.1 | +394.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Salt Lake City safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 6,064 for Salt Lake City — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Salt Lake City has 864.2. 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City, founded by Brigham Young, serves as the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nestled against the Wasatch Mountains, it is Utah's most populous city with a diverse and growing tech industry. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 212,675, Salt Lake City has a total crime rate of 6,064.2 per 100,000 residents.