Is Chicago or St. Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Charles is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 68/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,156 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 71% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Charles has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 81.1x 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
St. Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
St. Charles, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | St. Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,155.9 | +2,856.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 92.2 | +447.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.1 | +14.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 40.0 | +18.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 6.2 | +329.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 43.0 | +85.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,063.7 | +2,408.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 129.1 | +165.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 916.1 | +1,402.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 18.5 | +840.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Charles safer?
St. Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 1,156 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while St. Charles has 92.2. St. Charles 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 St. Charles, IL
St. Charles, a Fox River community west of Chicago, was once known as the "Electric City" for its early adoption of electricity. This affluent Kendall County suburb is home to roughly 33,000 residents. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 32,529, St. Charles has a total crime rate of 1,155.9 per 100,000 residents.