Is Chicago or Palo Alto Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palo Alto is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 16/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 19% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palo Alto has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 40.5x 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
Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Palo Alto, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Palo Alto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,245.3 | +767.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 212.1 | +327.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.5 | +15.9 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 38.4 | +20.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 53.8 | +281.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 118.3 | +10.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,033.2 | +439.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 225.9 | +68.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,623.0 | -304.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 184.4 | +674.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Palo Alto safer?
Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Palo Alto has 212.1. Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is a wealthy Silicon Valley hub home to Stanford University. Its residents are highly educated, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 65,079, Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 3,245.3 per 100,000 residents.