Moving from Chicago, IL to Surprise, AZ?
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 Surprise Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Surprise is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 75/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 985 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 75% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Surprise has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 16.2x 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
Surprise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Surprise, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 984.7 | +3,027.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 109.1 | +430.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 7.4 | +10.1 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 16.5 | +42.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 11.0 | +324.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 74.1 | +54.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 875.6 | +2,596.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 94.4 | +200.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 682.0 | +1,636.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 99.3 | +759.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Surprise, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Surprise safer?
Surprise is safer with a total crime rate of 985 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Surprise has 109.1. Surprise 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 Surprise, AZ
Surprise, Arizona, once a small farming community founded in 1938, is now a rapidly growing city in the Sonoran Desert. Located northwest of Phoenix, it's home to a significant population of retirees and families. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 163,202, Surprise has a total crime rate of 984.7 per 100,000 residents.