Is Chicago or St. Cloud Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Cloud is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,323 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 murder, where St. Cloud has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 36.9x 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. Cloud — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
St. Cloud, MN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | St. Cloud | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,323.5 | +688.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 408.4 | +131.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 85.3 | -26.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 50.4 | +284.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 272.8 | -144.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,915.0 | +557.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 249.0 | +45.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,501.0 | -182.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 165.1 | +693.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Cloud safer?
St. Cloud is safer with a total crime rate of 3,323 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 St. Cloud has 408.4. St. Cloud 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. Cloud, MN
St. Cloud, Minnesota, a city bisected by the Mississippi River, boasts a rich granite quarrying history. This regional hub in Stearns County is home to over 68,000 residents. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 71,492, St. Cloud has a total crime rate of 3,323.5 per 100,000 residents.