Is Chicago or Tonawanda Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tonawanda is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 63/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 68% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tonawanda has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 178.0x 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
Tonawanda — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Tonawanda, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Tonawanda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,301.9 | +2,710.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 168.6 | +371.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 13.5 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 33.7 | +25.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 6.8 | +328.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 114.7 | +13.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,133.2 | +2,339.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 121.4 | +173.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 897.1 | +1,421.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 114.7 | +744.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Tonawanda safer?
Tonawanda is safer with a total crime rate of 1,302 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Tonawanda has 168.6. Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda, NY
Tonawanda, NY, a city and town in Erie County, was once a major lumber port. Situated at the junction of the Erie Canal and the Niagara River, its population is around 50,000. With a safety score of 63/100 and a population coverage of 14,825, Tonawanda has a total crime rate of 1,301.9 per 100,000 residents.