Is Chicago or Seattle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than Seattle (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 5,783 for Seattle — 31% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Seattle has a 61% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 3.5x 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
Seattle — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Seattle, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 5,783.1 | -1,770.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 775.5 | -235.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.8 | +10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 46.3 | +12.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 220.6 | +114.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 501.3 | -373.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 5,007.6 | -1,535.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 1,152.0 | -857.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,882.0 | -563.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 973.6 | -114.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Seattle safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 5,783 for Seattle — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Seattle has 775.5. 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 Seattle, WA
Seattle, a major port city in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its vibrant music scene, particularly grunge, which emerged here. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it’s home to a diverse population with a strong tech industry presence. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 760,058, Seattle has a total crime rate of 5,783.1 per 100,000 residents.