Moving from Chicago, IL to Portland, OR?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago, IL or Portland, OR Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chicago, IL is safer than Portland, OR (Safety Score 8/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland, OR — 36% lower. Chicago has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portland has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 4.2x 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
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Portland, OR
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Portland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 6,246.7 | -2,234.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 720.5 | -180.6 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 10.8 | +6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 50.9 | +7.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 177.4 | +157.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 481.2 | -352.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 5,526.2 | -2,053.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 727.4 | -432.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 3,921.3 | -1,602.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 877.6 | -18.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Portland, OR?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Portland safer?
Chicago, IL is safer with a total crime rate of 4,012 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland, OR — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Portland has 720.5. 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.