Moving from Chicago, IL to New York City, NY?
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 or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New York City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 24% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where New York City has a 78% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 3.1x 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
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,039.7 | +972.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 671.4 | -131.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.9 | +13.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 23.4 | +35.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 187.5 | +147.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 456.2 | -327.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,368.3 | +1,104.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 154.7 | +140.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,015.0 | +303.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 198.5 | +660.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to New York City, NY?
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 New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Chicago 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 New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.