Is Chicago or East Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Palo Alto is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 28/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 37% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where East Palo Alto has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 95.4x 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
East Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
East Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | East Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,526.8 | +1,485.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 607.3 | -67.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.2 | +10.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 94.0 | -35.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 213.3 | +122.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 292.8 | -164.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,919.5 | +1,552.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 108.5 | +186.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,352.0 | +966.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 459.1 | +399.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or East Palo Alto safer?
East Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while East Palo Alto has 607.3. 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 East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 per 100,000 residents.