Moving from Chicago, IL to Lowell, MA?
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 Lowell, MA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lowell, MA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 45% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lowell has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 22.7x 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
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Lowell, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Lowell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,195.4 | +1,816.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 532.5 | +7.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.3 | +13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 6.9 | +51.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 56.9 | +278.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 464.4 | -336.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,662.9 | +1,809.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 149.9 | +144.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,309.6 | +1,009.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 203.3 | +655.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Lowell, MA?
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 Lowell safer?
Lowell, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Lowell has 532.5. Lowell 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 Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 per 100,000 residents.