Is Chicago or San Fernando Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Fernando is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 28/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,542 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 37% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Fernando has a 51% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 113.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Fernando — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
San Fernando, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | San Fernando | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,541.8 | +1,470.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 362.5 | +177.4 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 8.6 | +8.8 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 8.6 | +50.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 189.9 | +145.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 155.4 | -27.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,179.3 | +1,293.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 176.9 | +117.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,445.7 | +873.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 556.7 | +302.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or San Fernando safer?
San Fernando is safer with a total crime rate of 2,542 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while San Fernando has 362.5. San Fernando 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 San Fernando, CA
San Fernando, California, is a city in the San Fernando Valley, known for its historic Mission San Fernando Rey de España. It is largely a working-class community with a significant Latino population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 23,173, San Fernando has a total crime rate of 2,541.8 per 100,000 residents.