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Chicago, IL vs Portsmouth, NH Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Portsmouth crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Portsmouth, NH?

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Is Chicago, IL or Portsmouth, NH Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portsmouth, NH is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 57/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,476 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 Portsmouth has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 114.9x 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

Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend

Increasing 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

Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, NH
Safety Score 57/100
Coverage 22,969
Total Crime Rate 1,475.9
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Portsmouth Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,475.9 +2,536.3
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 191.6 +348.3
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 39.2 +19.6
Robbery Rate 335.3 8.7 +326.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 139.3 -11.0
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,284.3 +2,188.1
Burglary Rate 294.8 30.5 +264.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,153.7 +1,165.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 100.1 +758.7

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Portsmouth, NH?

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 Portsmouth safer?

Portsmouth, NH is safer with a total crime rate of 1,476 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 Portsmouth has 191.6. Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth, a historic port city on the Piscataqua River, boasts a vibrant arts scene and charming 17th-century architecture. Its compact downtown, home to many independent businesses, makes it a walkable destination. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 22,969, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 1,475.9 per 100,000 residents.

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