Moving from Chicago, IL to Decatur, 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, IL or Decatur, IL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Decatur, IL is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,471 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 13% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Decatur has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 38.8x 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
Decatur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Decatur, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Decatur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,471.0 | +541.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 603.5 | -63.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.4 | +10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 45.6 | +13.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 94.2 | +241.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 454.9 | -326.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,867.5 | +604.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 927.4 | -632.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,532.4 | +786.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 407.8 | +451.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Decatur, 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 Decatur safer?
Decatur, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 3,471 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Decatur has 603.5. 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 Decatur, IL
Decatur, a Central Illinois city, sits on the Sangamon River and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. It's home to Millikin University and a diverse population, with a significant portion of its residents identifying as African American. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 67,934, Decatur has a total crime rate of 3,471.0 per 100,000 residents.