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Chicago, IL vs Norwalk, IA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Norwalk crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Norwalk, IA?

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Is Chicago, IL or Norwalk, IA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Norwalk, IA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 98/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 289 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 93% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwalk has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 169.3x 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

Norwalk — 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

Norwalk, IA

Norwalk, IA
Safety Score 98/100
Coverage 15,588
Total Crime Rate 288.7
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Norwalk Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 288.7 +3,723.6
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 109.1 +430.8
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 25.7 +33.1
Robbery Rate 335.3 0.0 +335.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 83.4 +44.9
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 179.6 +3,292.8
Burglary Rate 294.8 0.0 +294.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 179.6 +2,139.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 0.0 +858.9

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Norwalk, IA?

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 Norwalk safer?

Norwalk, IA is safer with a total crime rate of 289 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 93% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Norwalk has 109.1. Norwalk 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 Norwalk, IA

Nestled in Polk County, Norwalk is a growing suburban community south of Des Moines. It's home to the annual Norwalk Music Fest, celebrating local talent. The population is predominantly white, with a median age in the mid-30s. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 15,588, Norwalk has a total crime rate of 288.7 per 100,000 residents.

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