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Chicago vs Rainbow City Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Rainbow City crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Rainbow City, AL?

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Is Chicago or Rainbow City Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Rainbow City is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 74/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Chicago is 254.7x 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

Rainbow City — 2-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

Rainbow City, AL

Rainbow City, AL
Safety Score 74/100
Coverage 10,362
Total Crime Rate 1,013.3
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Rainbow City Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 1,013.3 +2,998.9
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 86.9 +453.0
Murder Rate 17.5 0.0 +17.5
Rape Rate 58.8 19.3 +39.5
Robbery Rate 335.3 0.0 +335.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 67.6 +60.8
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 926.5 +2,545.9
Burglary Rate 294.8 96.5 +198.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 762.4 +1,556.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 67.6 +791.3

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Rainbow City, AL?

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 Rainbow City safer?

Rainbow City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,013 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Rainbow City has 86.9. Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City, AL

Rainbow City, Alabama, named for a local legend of a rainbow arcing over the river, sits in Etowah County. This small city, with a population around 10,000, lies on the Coosa River, offering scenic views. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 10,362, Rainbow City has a total crime rate of 1,013.3 per 100,000 residents.

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