Moving from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO?
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 Kansas City, MO Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago, IL is safer than Kansas City, MO (Safety Score 8/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 6,224 for Kansas City, MO — 36% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 5.2x 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 SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kansas City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Kansas City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 6,224.4 | -2,212.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,547.4 | -1,007.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 27.6 | -10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 74.7 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 254.0 | +81.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 1,191.2 | -1,062.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 4,677.0 | -1,204.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 490.4 | -195.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,454.9 | -136.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 1,731.8 | -872.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO?
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 Kansas City safer?
Chicago, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 6,224 for Kansas City, MO — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Kansas City has 1,547.4. 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 Kansas City, MO
Kansas City, Missouri, straddles the Missouri River and is known for its distinct barbecue style. It's the largest city in Missouri by population, with a diverse metropolitan area. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 511,437, Kansas City has a total crime rate of 6,224.4 per 100,000 residents.