Is Chicago or St. Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, St. Charles is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Charles has a 95% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 36.6x 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
St. Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
St. Charles, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | St. Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,023.0 | +2,989.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 135.8 | +404.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.2 | +13.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 18.0 | +40.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 18.0 | +317.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 94.3 | +34.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 887.1 | +2,585.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 54.1 | +240.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 702.8 | +1,616.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 130.3 | +728.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Charles safer?
St. Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while St. Charles has 135.8. 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, MO
St. Charles, Missouri, a historic city along the Missouri River, served as the first state capital. It's the county seat of St. Charles County, a rapidly growing area in greater St. Louis. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 72,143, St. Charles has a total crime rate of 1,023.0 per 100,000 residents.