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Chicago vs Palos Heights Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Palos Heights crime rate

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Is Chicago or Palos Heights Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Palos Heights is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 78/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 925 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 77% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Chicago is 232.4x 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

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Palos Heights — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

Palos Heights, IL

Palos Heights, IL
Safety Score 78/100
Coverage 11,353
Total Crime Rate 924.9
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Palos Heights Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 924.9 +3,087.4
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 61.7 +478.2
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 35.2 +23.6
Robbery Rate 335.3 17.6 +317.7
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 8.8 +119.5
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 863.2 +2,609.2
Burglary Rate 294.8 88.1 +206.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 766.3 +1,552.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 8.8 +850.1

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Palos Heights, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago or Palos Heights safer?

Palos Heights is safer with a total crime rate of 925 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 77% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Palos Heights has 61.7. Palos Heights 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 Palos Heights, IL

Palos Heights, a southwestern Chicago suburb, is home to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens. This Cook County community, incorporated in 1959, features a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 11,353, Palos Heights has a total crime rate of 924.9 per 100,000 residents.

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