Moving from Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MA or Chicago, IL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cambridge, MA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 23% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 21.9x 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 Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 4,012.2 | -931.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 539.9 | -103.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 58.8 | -24.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 335.3 | -244.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 128.3 | +183.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 3,472.4 | -828.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 294.8 | -58.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 2,318.8 | +4.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 858.9 | -774.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Cambridge, 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 Cambridge or Chicago safer?
Cambridge, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Cambridge has lower violent crime.
About Cambridge, MA
Nestled across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is a vibrant intellectual hub home to Harvard University. Its youthful, highly educated population, with a median age around 30, contributes to its dynamic character. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 120,447, Cambridge has a total crime rate of 3,081.0 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.