Moving from Chicago, IL to Ottawa, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago, IL or Ottawa, IL Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ottawa, IL is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 51/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 58% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 140.9x 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
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Ottawa, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,682.5 | +2,329.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 187.0 | +352.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 64.1 | -5.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 5.3 | +329.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 117.5 | +10.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,495.6 | +1,976.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 288.4 | +6.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,116.3 | +1,202.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 90.8 | +768.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Ottawa, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Ottawa safer?
Ottawa, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 1,683 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Ottawa has 187.0. Ottawa 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 Ottawa, IL
Ottawa, Illinois, nestled at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers, was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate. This LaSalle County seat has a population of around 18,000. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 18,722, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,682.5 per 100,000 residents.