Moving from Chicago, IL to Gainesville, FL?
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, IL or Gainesville, FL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Gainesville, FL is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 14/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 14% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gainesville has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 17.9x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Gainesville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Gainesville, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Gainesville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,447.8 | +564.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 744.1 | -204.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.8 | +12.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 85.7 | -26.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 133.3 | +202.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 514.2 | -385.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,703.7 | +768.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 307.4 | -12.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,292.9 | +25.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 103.4 | +755.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Gainesville, FL?
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 Gainesville safer?
Gainesville, FL is safer with a total crime rate of 3,448 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Gainesville has 744.1. 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 Gainesville, FL
Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is a central North Florida city. Its humid subtropical climate supports a diverse population of over 140,000 residents. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 147,022, Gainesville has a total crime rate of 3,447.8 per 100,000 residents.