Is Chicago or Desert Hot Springs Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Desert Hot Springs is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 50/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 58% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Desert Hot Springs has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 78.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Desert Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Desert Hot Springs, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Desert Hot Springs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,691.9 | +2,320.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 491.9 | +48.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.9 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 29.6 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 118.5 | +216.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 334.8 | -206.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,200.0 | +2,272.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 272.6 | +22.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 551.1 | +1,767.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 376.3 | +482.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Desert Hot Springs safer?
Desert Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Desert Hot Springs has 491.9. Desert Hot Springs 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 Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs, California, a city known for its natural hot springs, lies in the Coachella Valley. Founded by Cabot Yerxa, it is a small city with a population of around 32,000, primarily composed of working-class families. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 33,749, Desert Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 1,691.9 per 100,000 residents.