Is Anaheim or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Anaheim is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 24/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,729 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 32% lower. Anaheim has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Anaheim has a 80% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 7.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Anaheim — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Anaheim, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Anaheim | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,728.6 | 4,012.2 | -1,283.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 596.5 | 539.9 | +56.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 17.5 | -13.9 |
| Rape Rate | 50.2 | 58.8 | -8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 105.2 | 335.3 | -230.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 437.2 | 128.3 | +308.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,132.1 | 3,472.4 | -1,340.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 348.0 | 294.8 | +53.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,432.8 | 2,318.8 | -885.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 351.3 | 858.9 | -507.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anaheim or Chicago safer?
Anaheim is safer with a total crime rate of 2,729 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Anaheim has a violent crime rate of 596.5 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Anaheim, CA
Anaheim, California, a large city in Orange County, is perhaps best known as the home of Disneyland. This diverse Southern California community has a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 338,488, Anaheim has a total crime rate of 2,728.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.