Moving from Chicago, IL to Chico, CA?
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 Chicago or Chico Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chico is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 27/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 35% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chico has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 26.2x 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 Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chico — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Chico, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Chico | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,599.4 | +1,412.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 701.2 | -161.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.0 | +15.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 137.9 | -79.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 82.3 | +253.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 477.0 | -348.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,898.2 | +1,574.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 208.3 | +86.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,486.7 | +832.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 203.3 | +655.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Chico, CA?
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 Chicago or Chico safer?
Chico is safer with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Chico has 701.2. Chicago has lower violent crime.
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.
About Chico, CA
Chico, home to California State University, Chico, is a city in the Sacramento Valley. It boasts Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city's population is around 100,000. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 100,831, Chico has a total crime rate of 2,599.4 per 100,000 residents.