Moving from Boston, MA 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 Boston or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Boston is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 25/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 34% lower. Boston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 4.0x 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 SAFER than Boston, MA?
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 4,012.2 | -1,362.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 539.9 | +88.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 17.5 | -13.8 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 58.8 | -33.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 335.3 | -208.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 128.3 | +343.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 3,472.4 | -1,450.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 294.8 | -117.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,318.8 | -631.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 858.9 | -702.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA 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 Boston or Chicago safer?
Boston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 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.