Is Des Plaines or Joliet Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Des Plaines is safer than Joliet (Safety Score 64/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 1,595 for Joliet — 21% lower. Des Plaines has lower rates in 5 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Des Plaines has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Joliet is 2.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Des Plaines — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Joliet — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Des Plaines, IL
Joliet, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Des Plaines | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,260.1 | 1,594.6 | -334.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 120.6 | 350.0 | -229.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 48.5 | -29.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 24.5 | 35.2 | -10.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 76.9 | 266.3 | -189.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,139.5 | 1,244.6 | -105.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 417.7 | 389.9 | +27.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 601.2 | 704.0 | -102.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.6 | 150.8 | -30.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Plaines or Joliet safer?
Des Plaines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 1,595 for Joliet — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Des Plaines has a violent crime rate of 120.6 per 100K while Joliet has 350.0. Des Plaines has lower violent crime.
About Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, home to the first McDonald's restaurant, sits along the Des Plaines River in Cook County. This suburban city, with a population around 58,000, is a diverse community northwest of Chicago. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 57,218, Des Plaines has a total crime rate of 1,260.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Joliet, IL
Joliet, a former steel town on the Des Plaines River, boasts the historic Rialto Square Theatre. This city southwest of Chicago has a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 150,569, Joliet has a total crime rate of 1,594.6 per 100,000 residents.