Is Chicago or Maricopa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Maricopa is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 70/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 73% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Maricopa has a 98% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 34.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Maricopa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Maricopa, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Maricopa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,093.7 | +2,918.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 224.8 | +315.0 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.7 | +14.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 6.6 | +52.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 5.3 | +330.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 210.3 | -82.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 868.9 | +2,603.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 62.2 | +232.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 748.5 | +1,570.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 58.2 | +800.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Maricopa safer?
Maricopa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,094 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Maricopa has 224.8. Maricopa 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 Maricopa, AZ
Maricopa, Arizona, a city incorporated in 2003, sits in the Sonoran Desert. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, with a significant portion of its population commuting to Phoenix for work. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 75,614, Maricopa has a total crime rate of 1,093.7 per 100,000 residents.