| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Chicago/100k people | Illinois/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 105,871 | n/a (estimate) | 4,012 | 2,004 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 461 | n/a | 17.5 | 5.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1,551 | n/a | 58.8 | 46.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 8,847 | n/a | 335.3 | 90.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 3,386 | n/a | 128.3 | 146.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 14,245 | n/a (estimate) | 540 | 289 | 359 |
| Burglary | 7,778 | n/a | 294.8 | 290.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 61,185 | n/a | 2,318.8 | 1,134.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 22,663 | n/a | 858.9 | 290.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 91,626 | n/a (estimate) | 3,472 | 1,715 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Chicago is 89.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 14245 violent crimes reported in Chicago, equivalent to 540 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 50.3%. Additionally, Chicago recorded 91626 property crimes, amounting to 3472 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 97.3%.
Chicago has a crime rate of 4012 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 89.33%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Chicago. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Chicago ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Chicago, there were a total of 461 murders, translating to 17 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Chicago has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Chicago reported 22663 vehicle thefts, which equates to 859 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Chicago is 1 in 117.
AreaVibes surveyed 750 local residents in Chicago to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 29% of people answered that there was very little crime in Chicago and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 71% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Chicago a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Chicago crime rate is 89% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 290.06 crimes per day - 39.03 violent crimes and 251.03 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime rates in Chicago has decreased by 0.4% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Chicago is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 44.2%, while property crime has decreased by 13.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Chicago.
The Chicago area comprises a diverse array of over 77 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Archer Heights, Jefferson Park and Edison Park which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Roseland, West Garfield Park and Chicago Lawn exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Chicago neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
In Chicago, 80.3% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In Chicago, the cost of living is 15.77% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
The median home price in Chicago is $478,036, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | Chicago | Illinois | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 12,766 | 30,690 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Illinois /100K | National /100K |
| Illinois | 32,213 | 263 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,997 | 92 | 138 | 230 |
| Western Springs, IL | 13,775 | 8 | 273 | 280 |
| Indian Head Park, IL | 3,873 | 0 | 312 | 312 |
| Kenilworth, IL | 2,429 | 0 | 380 | 380 |
| Willow Springs, IL | 5,786 | 0 | 390 | 390 |
| Palos Hills, IL | 17,664 | 68 | 411 | 479 |
| Palos Park, IL | 4,875 | 0 | 530 | 530 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,804,582 | 540 | 3,472 | 4,012 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Houston, TX | 2,385,298 | 1,148 | 4,293 | 5,442 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 800 | 2,325 | 3,125 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 909 | 4,548 | 5,457 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,573,237 | 594 | 4,624 | 5,218 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 4,130,831 | 728 | 1,484 | 2,212 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,804,582 | 540 | 3,472 | 4,012 |
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