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Chicago, IL vs Springfield, MA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Chicago crime rate · Springfield crime rate

Moving from Chicago, IL to Springfield, MA?

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Is Chicago, IL or Springfield, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Springfield, MA is safer than Chicago, IL (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,728 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago, IL — 7% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Chicago has a 40% lower rate.

Note: Chicago is 17.0x 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 SAFER than Chicago, IL?

Chicago — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Springfield — 5-Year Trend

Flat 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 2/7

Springfield, MA

Springfield, MA
Safety Score 11/100
Coverage 155,491
Total Crime Rate 3,728.2
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chicago Springfield Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,012.2 3,728.2 +284.1
Violent Crime Rate 539.9 892.7 -352.8
Murder Rate 17.5 10.9 +6.5
Rape Rate 58.8 47.0 +11.8
Robbery Rate 335.3 209.0 +126.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 128.3 624.5 -496.2
Property Crime Rate 3,472.4 2,835.5 +636.9
Burglary Rate 294.8 313.8 -19.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,318.8 1,856.7 +462.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 858.9 665.0 +193.9

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to Springfield, MA?

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 Springfield safer?

Springfield, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,728 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago, IL — a 7% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. 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 Springfield, MA

Springfield, Massachusetts, a city on the Connecticut River, is the "City of Firsts," notably home to the invention of basketball. Its diverse population of over 150,000 residents reflects a rich industrial past and a vibrant present as an economic hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 155,491, Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,728.2 per 100,000 residents.

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