Is California City or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, California City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 36/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 46% lower. California City has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where California City has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 196.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
California City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
California City, CA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | California City | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,176.2 | 4,012.2 | -1,836.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 588.8 | 539.9 | +48.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 17.5 | -10.0 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 58.8 | -36.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 335.3 | -290.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 128.3 | +385.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,587.4 | 3,472.4 | -1,885.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.1 | 294.8 | +85.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 842.2 | 2,318.8 | -1,476.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.2 | 858.9 | -493.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California City or Chicago safer?
California City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
California City has a violent crime rate of 588.8 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Chicago has lower violent crime.
About California City, CA
California City, an ambitious 1950s planned community in the Mojave Desert, boasts the third-largest land area of any California city. Its vast, grid-like street network often lies empty, a testament to its unfulfilled growth. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 13,418, California City has a total crime rate of 2,176.2 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.