Is Chicago or Syracuse Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago is safer than Syracuse (Safety Score 8/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 4,999 for Syracuse — 20% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Syracuse has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 18.2x 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
Syracuse — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Syracuse, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Syracuse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 4,999.5 | -987.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 765.3 | -225.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 15.2 | +2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 58.6 | +0.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 133.6 | +201.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 558.0 | -429.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,234.2 | -761.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 721.2 | -426.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,638.2 | -319.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 874.8 | -15.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Syracuse safer?
Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 4,999 for Syracuse — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Syracuse has 765.3. 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 Syracuse, NY
Syracuse, a city in Central New York, is home to Syracuse University and its distinctive Carrier Dome. Located near Onondaga Lake, it experiences significant annual snowfall due to lake-effect weather. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 145,175, Syracuse has a total crime rate of 4,999.5 per 100,000 residents.