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Chicago vs Scottsdale Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Scottsdale crime rate

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Is Chicago or Scottsdale Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scottsdale is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 40/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 49% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsdale has a 98% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 10.8x 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

Scottsdale — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 0/7

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ
Safety Score 40/100
Coverage 245,237
Total Crime Rate 2,028.7
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Scottsdale Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 2,028.7 +1,983.6
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 153.3 +386.5
Murder Rate 17.5 0.4 +17.1
Rape Rate 58.8 33.8 +24.9
Robbery Rate 335.3 22.0 +313.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 96.2 +32.1
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 1,875.3 +1,597.1
Burglary Rate 294.8 182.3 +112.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,534.8 +783.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 158.2 +700.7

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Scottsdale, AZ?

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 Scottsdale safer?

Scottsdale is safer with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 49% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Scottsdale has 153.3. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, Arizona, a vibrant Sonoran Desert city, is known for its luxurious resorts and the historic influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Located east of Phoenix, it's a popular destination for affluent residents and tourists seeking outdoor recreation and upscale amenities. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 245,237, Scottsdale has a total crime rate of 2,028.7 per 100,000 residents.

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