Moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Maria, CA?
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 or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 28/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 37% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 24.0x 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 Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,543.3 | +1,469.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 660.6 | -120.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 2.7 | +14.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 68.2 | -9.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 173.6 | +161.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 416.2 | -287.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,882.7 | +1,589.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 312.6 | -17.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 1,149.4 | +1,169.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 420.7 | +438.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Maria, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 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 Santa Maria has 660.6. 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.