Is Chicago or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 9% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 224.2x 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
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,652.7 | +359.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 781.5 | -241.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.5 | +9.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 51.0 | +7.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 42.5 | +292.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 679.6 | -551.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,871.2 | +601.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 1,495.1 | -1,200.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,070.3 | +1,248.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 305.8 | +553.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Portales safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. Chicago 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 Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 per 100,000 residents.