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Chicago vs Mesa Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Mesa crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ?

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Is Chicago or Mesa Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Mesa is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 42/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 51% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Mesa has a 85% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 5.1x 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

Mesa — 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

Mesa, AZ

Mesa, AZ
Safety Score 42/100
Coverage 513,585
Total Crime Rate 1,947.9
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Mesa Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,947.9 +2,064.4
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 483.3 +56.6
Murder Rate 17.5 2.7 +14.7
Rape Rate 58.8 44.2 +14.6
Robbery Rate 335.3 50.2 +285.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 385.5 -257.2
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,464.6 +2,007.8
Burglary Rate 294.8 187.7 +107.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,078.5 +1,240.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 198.4 +660.5

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ?

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 Mesa safer?

Mesa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,948 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 51% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Mesa has 483.3. Mesa 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 Mesa, AZ

Mesa, Arizona, a sprawling Sonoran Desert city, is home to a significant proportion of the state's Mormon population, reflecting its early agricultural settlements. It's the most populous city in the East Valley, bordering Tempe to the west. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 513,585, Mesa has a total crime rate of 1,947.9 per 100,000 residents.

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