Is Chicago or Western Springs Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Western Springs is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 98/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 280 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 93% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Western Springs has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 200.0x 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
Western Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Western Springs, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Western Springs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 280.5 | +3,731.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 7.6 | +532.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 7.6 | +327.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 0.0 | +128.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 272.9 | +3,199.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 68.2 | +226.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 197.1 | +2,121.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 7.6 | +851.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Western Springs safer?
Western Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 280 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 93% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Western Springs has 7.6. Western Springs 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 Western Springs, IL
Western Springs, a historic village incorporated in 1886, is a Chicago suburb in Cook County. It features a charming downtown and tree-lined streets, primarily home to families. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 13,191, Western Springs has a total crime rate of 280.5 per 100,000 residents.