Is Chicago or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 84/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 82% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 56.0x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 725.8 | +3,286.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 91.3 | +448.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 10.6 | +48.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 2.1 | +333.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 76.4 | +51.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 634.6 | +2,837.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 82.8 | +212.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 411.7 | +1,907.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 140.1 | +718.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.