Is Chicago or Shawnee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shawnee is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,344 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 17% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Shawnee has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 82.5x 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
Shawnee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Shawnee, OK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Shawnee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,344.2 | +668.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 500.5 | +39.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.1 | +14.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 90.7 | -31.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 43.8 | +291.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 362.9 | -234.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,843.7 | +628.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 456.7 | -162.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,108.5 | +210.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 278.4 | +580.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Shawnee safer?
Shawnee is safer with a total crime rate of 3,344 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Shawnee has 500.5. Shawnee 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 Shawnee, OK
Shawnee, Oklahoma, a city in Pottawatomie County, is home to Oklahoma Baptist University. Historically, it was a significant railroad town and a center for agricultural trade. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 31,966, Shawnee has a total crime rate of 3,344.2 per 100,000 residents.