Is Chicago or Wheeling Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheeling is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 76/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 972 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 Wheeling has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 70.8x 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
Wheeling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Wheeling, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Wheeling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 971.8 | +3,040.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 64.4 | +475.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.7 | +14.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 29.5 | +29.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 10.7 | +324.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 18.8 | +109.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 907.4 | +2,565.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 217.4 | +77.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 585.2 | +1,733.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 104.7 | +754.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Wheeling safer?
Wheeling is safer with a total crime rate of 972 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 Wheeling has 64.4. Wheeling 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 Wheeling, IL
Wheeling, Illinois, once home to a significant German immigrant population, is a village in Cook and Lake counties. Situated about 30 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, it is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 37,251, Wheeling has a total crime rate of 971.8 per 100,000 residents.