When you compare Chicago and St. Louis, you might wonder which city is safer. However, the answer depends on your personal preferences. For example, you might want to move to a safer city. If so, you should consider Columbia, Missouri, the safest city in the United States. But if you’re a business owner, you may want to avoid St. Louis for security reasons.
St. Louis is safer than Chicago.
A recent study shows St. Louis is safer than Chicago, with no city topping the list for safety. The study looked at various statistics, including homicide and assault rates. In addition, it included the rates of COVID-19 vaccination and traffic/pedestrian fatalities. In terms of financial safety, St. Louis was ranked fourth. The study looked at poverty rates, job security, and median credit scores.
On the other hand, Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in America. Its high crime rates are concentrated on the North Side, a triangular area about six miles on each side. While this area is notorious for crime, most other neighborhoods are safe. One community, in particular, Pointe, is located near Forest Park and is relatively safe.
While Chicago’s crime rates are very high, they are nowhere near as high as those of St. Louis. Its crime rate is nearly 70 percent higher than the national average. Despite this high crime rate, Chicago did not make NeighborhoodScout’s list of the 100 safest US cities in 2022. And despite the high crime rates, it does not have the reputation of being the “murder capital” despite being the home state of President Barack Obama. It ranks 10th for murders per capita.
While Chicago has historically been the safest city in the United States, recent data shows it is the most dangerous. The number of murders in Chicago in 2017 was over 17,000 – a 22% increase from 2014. In contrast, St. Louis has a murder rate nearly half that of Chicago.
Despite the crime rates, Chicago is still a safe place to visit. The number of murders in Chicago has fallen due to increased tourism, but it is still a good idea to avoid areas with high crime rates if you visit alone. For solo travelers, opting for a city tour is better than wandering the streets alone.
Columbia is the safest city in the United States.
According to WalletHub, Columbia, Maryland, is the safest city in the United States. This ranking was based on various factors, including home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial security. Columbia has a low crime rate compared to other major cities and has a low crime rate relative to other large cities.
The researchers compiled data from federal agencies, think tanks, and other sources to determine the safest cities in the United States. They found that states like New Mexico, Tennessee, and Alaska had higher violent crime rates than Columbia. In contrast, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont had the lowest violent crime rates.
Chicago has a higher crime rate.
Chicago is a large metropolitan area with a high crime rate. The murder rate is four times higher than the national average, and about 21 people per 100,000 are killed and shot in the city every year. If you live in Chicago, you must be extra cautious, particularly at night. It is essential to install a home security system and keep your property secure.
The data for Chicago homicides is available from the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The seven most violent police districts have a murder rate of nearly 100 per 100,000. This is the highest level in over 25 years. The city’s violent crime rate is lower than in St Louis.
In 2017, Chicago was the 14th-highest city for homicides, with 653 homicides per 100,000. The city’s murder rate is slightly below St. Louis’s, 27.9 per 100,000 people in 2017. However, Chicago was significantly higher than its peers, with a higher murder rate in Black neighborhoods.
Chicago’s Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, has come under fire for saying that the city is “a summertime of joy” despite the high murder rate. She is a former federal prosecutor and served on the Chicago Police Board, and her campaign touted her progressive reform efforts. However, her comments have fueled a heated debate over addressing the city’s high murder rate.
The national average crime rate is 2,580 crimes per 100,000 people. The city has 1,927 violent and property crimes per capita. With a population of 300,500 people, St. Louis’s crime rate is 214% higher than the national average. There are maps available on the Internet that show crime concentrations and neighborhoods that are low and high-risk. You can also search the crime maps for a specific community to see which areas have high crime levels.
St. Louis has a higher murder rate.
According to the US Department of Justice, St. Louis has a higher murder rate than Chicago. The reasons are varied, but the city is generally plagued by gun violence. 90% of the city’s homicides involve the use of firearms. The city also reports thousands of nonfatal shootings that lead to admissions to local emergency departments and trauma centers. The city consistently ranks among the worst cities in the United States for violent crime.
As of 2016, the city of St. Louis had the highest murder rate in the US, with 205 homicides. The city’s violent crime is particularly pronounced in neighborhoods like the East Side. Residents are also impacted by poor housing and a failing economy.
Two years ago, the issue became more urgent, and the largest company in the metropolitan area became involved. Centene, the city’s largest public utility, began collaborating with the police to improve the city’s crime data. Centene’s Jim Brown, a consultant to then-Mayor Lyda Krewson, suggested combining the city’s data with suburban St. Louis County to improve the city’s homicide rate. Various politicians discussed anti-crime measures, including the use of surveillance aircraft.
According to a Kansas City Star analysis of federal data, St. Louis had a murder rate that fell from 263 in 2020 to 198 last year. The murder rate is a “rolling report card” used by elected officials and police departments to determine a city’s overall progress. It also indicates whether a police department is doing its job.
According to the FBI, some guidelines say police shouldn’t classify homicides as justifiable if the suspect claimed self-defense. Kleck, a professor emeritus at Florida State University, said, “justifiable homicide is an exception.” Hayden said the city’s increased rate is due to changes in Missouri law.
A comprehensive strategy for reducing violent crime is needed to prevent future homicides. It must address factors that create the risk of violence and provide services for high-risk individuals. One such group is young Black men, who are the most at risk for violence. These young men have repeatedly encountered the criminal justice system, have been victims and witnesses of violence, and often lack access to quality education.
