Moving from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?
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 Richmond, VA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Richmond, VA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 13/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 12% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Richmond has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 11.4x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Richmond, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,516.3 | +495.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 336.9 | +202.9 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 24.2 | -6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 18.6 | +40.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 94.5 | +240.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 199.7 | -71.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,179.4 | +293.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 265.3 | +29.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,386.9 | -68.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 527.2 | +331.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?
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 Richmond safer?
Richmond, VA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,516 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Richmond has 336.9. Richmond 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 Richmond, VA
Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 per 100,000 residents.