Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago, IL?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Ann Arbor or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ann Arbor is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 40/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,019 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 50% lower. Ann Arbor has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ann Arbor has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 22.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Ann Arbor, MI?
Ann Arbor — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ann Arbor, MI
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ann Arbor | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,019.1 | 4,012.2 | -1,993.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.3 | 539.9 | -236.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 49.1 | 58.8 | -9.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 20.3 | 335.3 | -315.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 233.0 | 128.3 | +104.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,715.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,756.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 156.8 | 294.8 | -138.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,471.7 | 2,318.8 | -847.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 87.3 | 858.9 | -771.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago, IL?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ann Arbor or Chicago safer?
Ann Arbor is safer with a total crime rate of 2,019 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ann Arbor has a violent crime rate of 303.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Ann Arbor has lower violent crime.
About Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a city in southeastern Michigan known for its vibrant arts scene. Its population is approximately 123,000, with a significant portion being students and young professionals. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 118,025, Ann Arbor has a total crime rate of 2,019.1 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.