Is Chicago or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 76/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 76% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waltham has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.3x 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
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 951.3 | +3,060.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 252.0 | +287.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.5 | +15.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 18.3 | +40.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 22.9 | +312.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 209.2 | -80.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 699.4 | +2,773.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 125.2 | +169.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 519.2 | +1,799.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 55.0 | +803.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.