Moving from Chicago, IL to Crystal Lake, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago or Crystal Lake Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Crystal Lake is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 67/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 70% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Crystal Lake has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 64.2x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Crystal Lake — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Crystal Lake, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Crystal Lake | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,207.6 | +2,804.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 104.7 | +435.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 48.7 | +10.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 4.9 | +330.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 51.1 | +77.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,102.9 | +2,369.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 102.3 | +192.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 927.6 | +1,391.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 73.0 | +785.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Crystal Lake, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Crystal Lake safer?
Crystal Lake is safer with a total crime rate of 1,208 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Crystal Lake has 104.7. Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, Illinois, a city named for its spring-fed lake, is home to over 40,000 residents in McHenry County. It was originally two separate communities, Nunda and Crystal Lake, before consolidating. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 41,074, Crystal Lake has a total crime rate of 1,207.6 per 100,000 residents.