Is Chicago or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, St. Petersburg is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 23% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where St. Petersburg has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 10.0x 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. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,080.8 | +931.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 621.9 | -82.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.8 | +10.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 43.4 | +15.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 81.5 | +253.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 487.9 | -359.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,458.9 | +1,013.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 209.4 | +85.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,029.8 | +288.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 219.6 | +639.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or St. Petersburg safer?
St. Petersburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. 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. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.