Moving from Chicago, IL to Rockford, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago or Rockford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Rockford is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 12/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,599 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 10% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Rockford has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 18.2x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rockford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Rockford, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Rockford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,598.6 | +413.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 1,081.4 | -541.5 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 13.1 | +4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 69.5 | -10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 106.7 | +228.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 890.7 | -762.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,517.2 | +955.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 632.6 | -337.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,444.8 | +874.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 439.8 | +419.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Rockford, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Rockford safer?
Rockford is safer with a total crime rate of 3,599 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Rockford has 1,081.4. 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 Rockford, IL
Rockford, once known as "Forest City," sits on the Rock River in northern Illinois. Its manufacturing history shaped a blue-collar community of just under 150,000 residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 145,280, Rockford has a total crime rate of 3,598.6 per 100,000 residents.