Is New York City or North Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, North Chicago is safer than New York City (Safety Score 84/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 742 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 76% lower. New York City has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where North Chicago has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 273.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
North Chicago — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
North Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | North Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 742.1 | +2,297.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 178.1 | +493.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 0.0 | +3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 16.5 | +6.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 16.5 | +171.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 145.1 | +311.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 564.0 | +1,804.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 56.1 | +98.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 336.4 | +1,678.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 171.5 | +27.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or North Chicago safer?
North Chicago is safer with a total crime rate of 742 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while North Chicago has 178.1. North Chicago has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.
About North Chicago, IL
North Chicago, Illinois, is a Lake County community that was once home to the American Steel Foundries. Situated along Lake Michigan, it has a diverse population. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 30,318, North Chicago has a total crime rate of 742.1 per 100,000 residents.