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Chicago, IL vs Columbus, GA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Columbus crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Columbus, GA?

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Is Chicago, IL or Columbus, GA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Columbus, GA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 22/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 29% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 85% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 13.1x 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

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Columbus — 4-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 2/7

Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA
Safety Score 22/100
Coverage 201,061
Total Crime Rate 2,843.9
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Columbus Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 2,843.9 +1,168.3
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 608.3 -68.4
Murder Rate 17.5 12.9 +4.5
Rape Rate 58.8 25.4 +33.4
Robbery Rate 335.3 50.7 +284.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 514.8 -386.5
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 2,235.6 +1,236.8
Burglary Rate 294.8 353.6 -58.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,635.8 +682.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 246.2 +612.7

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Chicago, IL to Columbus, GA?

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.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago or Columbus safer?

Columbus, GA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 29% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Columbus has 608.3. 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 Columbus, GA

Columbus, Georgia, a city on the Chattahoochee River, is home to Fort Moore, a major US Army installation. Its population of over 200,000 residents enjoys a vibrant arts scene and a rich industrial heritage. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 201,061, Columbus has a total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 residents.

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