Moving from Chicago, IL to Madison, NJ?
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 Madison, NJ Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Madison, NJ is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 95/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 421 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 90% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Madison has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 158.5x 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
Madison — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Madison, NJ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 420.6 | +3,591.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 12.0 | +527.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 0.0 | +58.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 6.0 | +329.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 6.0 | +122.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 408.6 | +3,063.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 6.0 | +288.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 396.6 | +1,922.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 6.0 | +852.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Madison, NJ?
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 Madison safer?
Madison, NJ is safer with a total crime rate of 421 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Madison has 12.0. Madison 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 Madison, NJ
Madison, a borough in Morris County, is home to Drew University and its arboretum. This affluent community, with a median household income significantly above the state average, retains a charming downtown. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 16,643, Madison has a total crime rate of 420.6 per 100,000 residents.