Moving from Chicago, IL to Fort Payne, AL?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago or Fort Payne Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Fort Payne is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 47/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,775 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 murder, where Fort Payne has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 176.1x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Fort Payne — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Fort Payne, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Fort Payne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,775.2 | +2,237.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 160.2 | +379.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 20.0 | +38.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 0.0 | +335.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 140.2 | -11.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,615.1 | +1,857.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 287.0 | +7.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,194.6 | +1,124.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 133.5 | +725.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Fort Payne, AL?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Fort Payne safer?
Fort Payne is safer with a total crime rate of 1,775 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 Fort Payne has 160.2. Fort Payne 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 Fort Payne, AL
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 14,984, Fort Payne has a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents.