Is Chicago or Wood Dale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wood Dale is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 67/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,191 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 70% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wood Dale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 192.8x 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
Wood Dale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Wood Dale, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Wood Dale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,190.7 | +2,821.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 102.3 | +437.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 43.8 | +15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 7.3 | +328.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 51.1 | +77.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,088.5 | +2,383.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 226.5 | +68.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 774.3 | +1,544.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 87.7 | +771.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Wood Dale safer?
Wood Dale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,191 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Wood Dale has 102.3. Wood Dale 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 Wood Dale, IL
Wood Dale, a suburb west of Chicago, is home to a significant industrial park and O'Hare International Airport's western perimeter. Historically, it was a farming community before post-WWII development. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 13,689, Wood Dale has a total crime rate of 1,190.7 per 100,000 residents.