Is Park Ridge or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Park Ridge is safer than Waltham (Safety Score 76/100 vs 76/100), with a total crime rate of 944 per 100,000 versus 951 for Waltham — 1% lower. Park Ridge has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Park Ridge has a 100% lower rate.
Park Ridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Park Ridge, IL
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Park Ridge | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 944.4 | 951.3 | -6.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 96.3 | 252.0 | -155.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.5 | -1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 32.1 | 18.3 | +13.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.7 | 22.9 | -4.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 45.5 | 209.2 | -163.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 848.1 | 699.4 | +148.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 305.0 | 125.2 | +179.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 446.8 | 519.2 | -72.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 96.3 | 55.0 | +41.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Park Ridge or Waltham safer?
Park Ridge is safer with a total crime rate of 944 per 100K vs 951 for Waltham — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Park Ridge has a violent crime rate of 96.3 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Park Ridge has lower violent crime.
About Park Ridge, IL
Park Ridge, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, is known for its historic Pickwick Theatre. This affluent community, home to about 39,000 residents, borders O'Hare International Airport. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 37,379, Park Ridge has a total crime rate of 944.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.