Is Chicago or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Cruz is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 17/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 22% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Cruz has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 43.0x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,128.2 | +884.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 612.9 | -73.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 4.9 | +12.6 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 42.4 | +16.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 102.7 | +232.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 463.0 | -334.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 2,515.2 | +957.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 135.3 | +159.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,221.8 | +96.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 158.1 | +700.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Santa Cruz safer?
Santa Cruz is safer with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. 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 Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.