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Chicago vs Sacramento Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Sacramento crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA?

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Is Chicago or Sacramento Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sacramento is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,302 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 18% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Sacramento has a 51% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 5.0x 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

Sacramento — 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 2/7

Sacramento, CA

Sacramento, CA
Safety Score 15/100
Coverage 526,670
Total Crime Rate 3,302.5
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Sacramento Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 3,302.5 +709.8
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 755.1 -215.3
Murder Rate 17.5 8.5 +8.9
Rape Rate 58.8 34.6 +24.2
Robbery Rate 335.3 192.2 +143.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 519.7 -391.4
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 2,547.3 +925.1
Burglary Rate 294.8 441.6 -146.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,596.1 +722.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 509.6 +349.3

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Sacramento, CA?

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 Sacramento safer?

Sacramento is safer with a total crime rate of 3,302 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 18% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Sacramento has 755.1. 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 Sacramento, CA

Sacramento, California's state capital, sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. A key Gold Rush city, it's known for its tree-lined streets and diverse population. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 526,670, Sacramento has a total crime rate of 3,302.5 per 100,000 residents.

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