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Chicago vs McAllen Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Chicago crime rate · McAllen crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to McAllen, TX?

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Is Chicago or McAllen Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, McAllen is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 41/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 50% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where McAllen has a 93% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 17.8x 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

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

McAllen — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

McAllen, TX

McAllen, TX
Safety Score 41/100
Coverage 148,017
Total Crime Rate 1,986.3
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago McAllen Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,986.3 +2,026.0
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 150.7 +389.2
Murder Rate 17.5 2.7 +14.8
Rape Rate 58.8 39.2 +19.6
Robbery Rate 335.3 23.7 +311.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 84.5 +43.9
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,835.6 +1,636.8
Burglary Rate 294.8 63.5 +231.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,704.5 +614.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 67.6 +791.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Chicago, IL to McAllen, TX?

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.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago or McAllen safer?

McAllen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 50% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while McAllen has 150.7. McAllen 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 McAllen, TX

McAllen, Texas, a vibrant city in the Rio Grande Valley, thrives as a major retail and medical hub. Its subtropical climate and proximity to the Mexican border, just south of Hidalgo, have historically shaped its unique cultural identity. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 148,017, McAllen has a total crime rate of 1,986.3 per 100,000 residents.

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