Moving from Chicago, IL to Kelso, WA?
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 Kelso Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Kelso is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 36/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 46% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Kelso has a 74% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 209.1x 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 SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Kelso — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Kelso, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Kelso | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,163.2 | +1,849.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 229.8 | +310.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.9 | +9.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 47.5 | +11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 87.2 | +248.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 87.2 | +41.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,933.4 | +1,539.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 285.3 | +9.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,481.8 | +837.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 166.4 | +692.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Kelso, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Kelso safer?
Kelso is safer with a total crime rate of 2,163 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Kelso has 229.8. Kelso 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 Kelso, WA
Kelso, Washington, a Cowlitz River city founded by Peter Crawford, is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World." Situated in Cowlitz County, it shares a border with Longview, and its population was 12,969 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 12,620, Kelso has a total crime rate of 2,163.2 per 100,000 residents.