Is Chicago or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Tucson is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 9/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,903 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 3% lower. Chicago has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tucson has a 68% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 4.8x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 3,902.8 | +109.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 589.7 | -49.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 6.7 | +10.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 47.7 | +11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 108.1 | +227.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 426.2 | -297.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 3,313.1 | +159.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 296.8 | -2.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 2,500.6 | -181.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 515.7 | +343.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Tucson safer?
Tucson is safer with a total crime rate of 3,903 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chicago has a violent crime rate of 539.9 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. 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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.