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Chicago vs Detroit: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents vs Detroit's 55 per 1,000, making Chicago 35% safer overall. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade compared to Detroit's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D+

Chicago

Illinois

Overall GradeD+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC-
Crime Rate35.5/1K
Percentile20%
F

Detroit

Michigan

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate55/1K
Percentile2%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricChicagoDetroit
Overall Crime Rate35.5/1K55/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.01900.0
Property Crime Rate2800.03600.0
Murder Rate14.126.3
Assault Rate608.51355.2
Robbery Rate120.9316.4
Burglary Rate376.8534.9
Theft Rate1938.22903.9
Vehicle Theft Rate674.0387.8

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Chicago is safer in 8 and Detroit is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Chicago, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 18 in Detroit.

Full Safety Reports

D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
F
Detroit, Michigan Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Chicago vs Detroit

Chicago Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low42.8°F
Annual Rain36.9"
Annual Snow36.1"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Detroit Climate Overview

Annual High59.1°F
Annual Low41.4°F
Annual Rain33.7"
Annual Snow40.8"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ChicagoDetroitHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but winter temperatures are comparable. Detroit gets significantly more snow (41" vs 36").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago safer than Detroit?
As of 2026, Chicago is 35% safer overall, with a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Detroit's 55. Chicago earns a D+ safety grade vs Detroit's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Chicago or Detroit?
Detroit has more violent crime at 1900 per 100,000 residents. Chicago is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Chicago vs Detroit?
Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K). Detroit has 55 per 1,000 (violent: 1900/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to Chicago or Detroit?
From a safety perspective, Chicago has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) and Detroit (pop. 649,095) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chicago's D+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Chicago and Detroit compare for property crime?
Chicago has lower property crime at 2800 per 100K vs Detroit's 3600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs MilwaukeeDetroit vs ClevelandDetroit vs St. LouisDetroit vs Memphis

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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