Is Chicago Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Chicago

Safety rating

Moderate
3.5 /5

Women living in Chicago consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Crime rating

Low
2.2 /5

Women living in Chicago consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 2.2 out of 5.

Violence rating

13.9%

On average 13.9% percentage of women in United States have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.

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Crime & Safety Statistics

Based on 28 experiences

Safety rating:

3.5/5Moderate

Safety walking alone after dark:

3/5Moderate

Safety using public transport:

3.6/5Safe

Crime rate:

2.2/5Low

Worries of being sexually harassed:

2.1/5A Bit Worried

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

1.6/5A Bit Worried

Worries of being physically attacked:

1.7/5A Bit Worried

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

1.3/5Not at all worried

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

1.8/5A Bit Worried

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

1.3/5Not at all worried

Is Chicago safe for women?

Chicago is a mixed bag but overall safe if you stick to the right areas. Just keep north in Chicago and avoid the red line too late after dark (if you do have to use it go to the front near the conductors.).

Posted: December 20, 2024
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Chicago is safe but it depends on different neighborhoods as well as what time of the area you are traveling. It's okay to walk alone although with any other state , you always want to be careful of your belongings

Posted: December 14, 2024
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Chicago is relatively safe during the day. At night I’d stay in crowded areas and take the main roads with lights. Public transportation is pretty safe but I would try to avoid taking the train at night past 9. Try to travel with a buddy. The train is less safe than buses.

Posted: December 10, 2024
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Noemi

Noemi

Like any place, certain areas should be avoided if possible after night. Downtown Chicago has been experiencing some cases of young groups harassing folks around Millennium Park but local police have taken measures by enforcing curfews. As far as train lines, if using the red I would be careful of going south of china town. Overall I have lived in Chicago for 32 years and have never been robbed or pickpocketed. Lots of lovely places and nice folks. Def great food.

Posted: November 11, 2024
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Sumathi

Sumathi

I live in Chicago Downtown. It's always good to excrise caution. Stay street smart. Look out around and just be mindful. Enjoy the busy downtown experience of Chicago high-rise building chilling weather, and the windy city has a lot of memories to offer. Just be mindful

Posted: October 24, 2024
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Rosie

Rosie

Chicago is quite safe. As in any large city, it’s wise to keep your valuables away while you’re out in public. The downtown area is mostly office buildings and is pretty deserted after nightfall (it’s not particularly dangerous, just empty) - be prepared for that. Nearly everyone here uses public transportation and you will almost certainly be safe doing so.

Posted: October 19, 2024
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How comfortable you feel in Chicago is based on the neighborhoods you visit. I tend to stay closer to the north side where crime ratings are lower. I feel that I can move around on transit fairly late at night but there are a lot of homeless on the train. I usually do not make contact and when I do it tends to be friendly. I don’t have to worry about watching my back. I do stay away from the Chicago south side because of crime and killings. Some parts of the west side as well. I’m recommend looking up neighborhoods before you go. Downtown area is safe. North suburbs are safe.

Posted: September 30, 2024
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B.

B.

Chicago is a pretty safe city if you stay aware and stay out of a handful of areas. I suggest not wearing headphones or being distracted by your phone when walking around. Generally, I feel safe using public transportation. After midnight, if I am alone, I will take a taxi or rideshare so I don’t have to walk from the train or bus to my residence. People tend to dramatize the violence here. While it does occur, it is most often on the far west or far south sides. Like any big city, if you are unaware, there is a chance someone may pickpocket you or confront you. I have been here for 15 years and have never had a problem myself. If you are visiting, do your best to plan your route, stay aware, and in the evening, if going out, I suggest being with a friend or travel buddy if you are not so familiar with the city. It is beautiful and most people are helpful/friendly :)

Posted: August 26, 2024
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Elena

Elena

Chicago is safe as long as you stay east of humbolt park and west loop as well as north of the loop at night. During the day, everywhere is generally safe. At night stick to main roads and avoid taking train alone at night but it’s fine with at least another person.

Posted: August 21, 2024
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Avni

Avni

As long as you don't go too far south, Chicago's one of the safest places in the US to live. Stay away from poverty ridden neighborhoods (south chicago past Hyde Park, west into Cicero) and you'll be 100% fine

Posted: August 16, 2024
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Is Chicago worth visiting?

Travel rating

4.1 /5

based on 11 experiences from female travelers

Solo travel

I felt great in Chicago between the years. Perfect city to walk around, go up the towers and enjoy the views. And the Chinatown in Chicago was great. Especially the community center. I loved to go there and relax!

Posted: August 14, 2024Experienced: December, 2019
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Group travel

Did a quick weekend trip to Chicago with the girls for a bachelorette party. We had dinner at the Dearborn and Wakamono, both 5/5. We tried out The DISCO since it has 4 levels but it was pretty small and crowded so we ended up at Three Dots and A Dash and the vibe there was much more chill but fun! We mostly traveled by Uber but when we did walk around we felt safe.

Posted: May 14, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
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Meet locals in Chicago

Lini

Lini

About Me

Hi my name is Lini and I’m an aupair in Chicago. I love to travel around and getting to know new people! I usually read a lot, go to concerts or festivals and meet with friends. I just graduated back at home in Germany and wanna see a lot of the world now.

Speaking

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Christina

Christina

About Me

Hello! I am solo traveling out of the country for the first time and am very excited! If anyone is going to be there at the same time as me and would like to meet up, message me!

Speaking

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Safety in United States

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago safe?

Women living in Chicago consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Is Chicago safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in Chicago consider walking alone at night to be moderately safe, with an overall safety rating of 3 out of 5.

Is public transport safe in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider public transport to be relatively safe, with an overall safety rating of 3.6 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 2.2 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 2.1 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.6 out of 5.

What is the risk of being physically attacked in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of being physically attacked to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.7 out of 5.

What is the risk of burglary in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of burglary to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.3 out of 5

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be relatively low, with an overall risk rating of 1.8 out of 5.

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Chicago?

Women living in Chicago consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be very low, with an overall risk rating of 1.3 out of 5