Moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Rosa is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 51/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 59% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Rosa has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 15.1x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Rosa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Santa Rosa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Santa Rosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 1,662.6 | +2,349.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 342.6 | +197.3 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 1.1 | +16.3 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 67.4 | -8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 66.8 | +268.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 207.3 | -78.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,320.0 | +2,152.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 231.2 | +63.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 919.2 | +1,399.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 169.6 | +689.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa safer?
Santa Rosa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Santa Rosa has 342.6. Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a city of over 175,000 residents, famously home to Charles M. Schulz. It's a gateway to California's Wine Country, situated amidst rolling hills and vineyards. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 175,147, Santa Rosa has a total crime rate of 1,662.6 per 100,000 residents.