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Chicago, IL vs Payson, AZ Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Payson crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Payson, AZ?

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Is Chicago, IL or Payson, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Payson, AZ is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 57/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 63% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Chicago is 156.6x 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

Payson — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing 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

Payson, AZ

Payson, AZ
Safety Score 57/100
Coverage 16,845
Total Crime Rate 1,490.1
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Payson Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,490.1 +2,522.2
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 267.1 +272.7
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 0.0 +58.8
Robbery Rate 335.3 0.0 +335.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 261.2 -132.9
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,222.9 +2,249.5
Burglary Rate 294.8 219.7 +75.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 872.7 +1,446.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 130.6 +728.3

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Payson, AZ?

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 Payson safer?

Payson, AZ is safer with a total crime rate of 1,490 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 63% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Payson has 267.1. Payson 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 Payson, AZ

Payson, Arizona, "Heart of Arizona," is a small town in Gila County, nestled in the Mogollon Rim. Known for its rodeo heritage, it boasts a population of around 16,000, attracting retirees and outdoor enthusiasts. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 16,845, Payson has a total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 residents.

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