Is Galesburg or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Galesburg is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 13/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,478 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 36% lower. Galesburg has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Galesburg has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 53.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Galesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Galesburg, IL
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Galesburg | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,478.4 | 5,458.5 | -1,980.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 512.8 | 910.3 | -397.6 |
| Murder Rate | 6.9 | 16.9 | -10.0 |
| Rape Rate | 145.5 | 46.1 | +99.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 20.8 | 273.2 | -252.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 339.5 | 572.5 | -233.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,965.6 | 4,548.2 | -1,582.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 724.1 | 319.0 | +405.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,068.3 | 3,223.6 | -1,155.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 173.2 | 1,005.6 | -832.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Galesburg or Philadelphia safer?
Galesburg is safer with a total crime rate of 3,478 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Galesburg has a violent crime rate of 512.8 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Galesburg has lower violent crime.
About Galesburg, IL
Galesburg, Illinois, a city in Knox County, is known as the birthplace of Carl Sandburg. Situated in west-central Illinois, its population is around 30,000. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 28,864, Galesburg has a total crime rate of 3,478.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.