Moving from Chicago, IL to Meridian, ID?
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 Meridian, ID Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Meridian, ID is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 85/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 82% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Meridian has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 18.8x 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 SAFER than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 718.2 | +3,294.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 146.8 | +393.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.7 | +16.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 29.9 | +28.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 10.7 | +324.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 105.5 | +22.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 571.4 | +2,901.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 52.0 | +242.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 482.4 | +1,836.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 37.1 | +821.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Meridian, ID?
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 Meridian safer?
Meridian, ID is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian 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 Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 per 100,000 residents.