Is Chicago or St. Joseph Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chicago is safer than St. Joseph (Safety Score 8/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,579 for St. Joseph — 12% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Joseph has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 37.6x 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. Joseph — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
St. Joseph, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | St. Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,579.5 | -567.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 728.6 | -188.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.3 | +13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 178.2 | -119.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 54.2 | +281.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 491.9 | -363.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,850.9 | -378.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 536.1 | -241.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,774.5 | -455.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 540.4 | +318.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Joseph safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,579 for St. Joseph — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while St. Joseph has 728.6. 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 St. Joseph, MO
St. Joseph, Missouri, a city on the Missouri River, was the starting point of the Pony Express. This Buchanan County seat is located across from Kansas. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 70,139, St. Joseph has a total crime rate of 4,579.5 per 100,000 residents.