Is Chicago or Newport Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newport Beach is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 37/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,126 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 47% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newport Beach has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 32.3x 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
Newport Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Newport Beach, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Newport Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,125.6 | +1,886.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 253.0 | +286.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.4 | +15.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 33.0 | +25.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 46.5 | +288.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 169.9 | -41.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,872.6 | +1,599.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 315.4 | -20.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,409.4 | +909.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 147.9 | +711.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Newport Beach safer?
Newport Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,126 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Newport Beach has 253.0. Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach, California, a coastal city known for its affluent residents and the Balboa Pavilion, a historic landmark. Its harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast, attracting many visitors. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 81,811, Newport Beach has a total crime rate of 2,125.6 per 100,000 residents.