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Chicago, IL vs Ferndale, WA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Ferndale crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Ferndale, WA?

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Is Chicago, IL or Ferndale, WA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ferndale, WA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 50/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 57% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Ferndale has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 162.0x 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

Ferndale — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Decreasing Total

Chicago, IL

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

Ferndale, WA

Ferndale, WA
Safety Score 50/100
Coverage 16,293
Total Crime Rate 1,706.3
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Ferndale Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,706.3 +2,306.0
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 104.3 +435.5
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 24.6 +34.2
Robbery Rate 335.3 12.3 +323.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 67.5 +60.8
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,601.9 +1,870.5
Burglary Rate 294.8 233.2 +61.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,295.0 +1,023.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 73.7 +785.2

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Ferndale, WA?

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 Ferndale safer?

Ferndale, WA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 57% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ferndale has 104.3. Ferndale 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 Ferndale, WA

Nestled on the Nooksack River, Ferndale, WA is a town of over 13,000 residents, known for its historic Pioneer Park. The town's early economy was driven by timber and agriculture. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 16,293, Ferndale has a total crime rate of 1,706.3 per 100,000 residents.

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