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Chicago vs Sparks Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Sparks crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Sparks, NV?

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Is Chicago or Sparks Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Sparks is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 20/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 26% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sparks has a 83% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 23.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chicago, IL?

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Sparks — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 2,638,698
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2
Category Wins 1/7

Sparks, NV

Sparks, NV
Safety Score 20/100
Coverage 110,807
Total Crime Rate 2,979.1
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Sparks Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 2,979.1 +1,033.2
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 395.3 +144.6
Murder Rate 17.5 4.5 +13.0
Rape Rate 58.8 83.9 -25.2
Robbery Rate 335.3 56.0 +279.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 250.0 -121.7
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 2,583.8 +888.6
Burglary Rate 294.8 301.4 -6.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,964.7 +354.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 317.7 +541.2

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Sparks, NV?

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 Sparks safer?

Sparks is safer with a total crime rate of 2,979 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 26% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Sparks has 395.3. Sparks 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 Sparks, NV

Sparks, Nevada, a city east of Reno, was once known as "The Crossroads of the West" due to its railroad heritage. With a population exceeding 100,000, it's a significant part of the Truckee Meadows region. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 110,807, Sparks has a total crime rate of 2,979.1 per 100,000 residents.

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