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Chicago vs El Paso Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · El Paso crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to El Paso, TX?

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Is Chicago or El Paso Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, El Paso is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 47/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 56% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Paso has a 89% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 3.9x 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

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

El Paso — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

El Paso, TX

El Paso, TX
Safety Score 47/100
Coverage 678,860
Total Crime Rate 1,773.0
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago El Paso Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,773.0 +2,239.3
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 279.0 +260.9
Murder Rate 17.5 3.0 +14.5
Rape Rate 58.8 0.6 +58.2
Robbery Rate 335.3 37.1 +298.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 237.8 -109.4
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,494.0 +1,978.4
Burglary Rate 294.8 140.2 +154.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,072.4 +1,246.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 281.4 +577.5

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to El Paso, TX?

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 El Paso safer?

El Paso is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 56% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while El Paso has 279.0. El Paso 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 El Paso, TX

Nestled at the base of the Franklin Mountains, El Paso is a large border city with a rich Tejano heritage. Its unique position makes it the largest binational metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, boasting a vibrant blend of American and Mexican cultures. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 678,860, El Paso has a total crime rate of 1,773.0 per 100,000 residents.

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