Moving from Chicago, IL to Waukegan, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Chicago or Waukegan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Waukegan is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 39/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,060 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 robbery, where Waukegan has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 30.3x 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
Waukegan — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago, IL
Waukegan, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chicago | Waukegan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.2 | 2,059.6 | +1,952.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 539.9 | 445.2 | +94.7 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 5.7 | +11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 58.8 | 88.4 | -29.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 335.3 | 60.8 | +274.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 128.3 | 290.3 | -162.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,472.4 | 1,614.4 | +1,858.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 294.8 | 270.8 | +24.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,318.8 | 819.2 | +1,499.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 858.9 | 524.4 | +334.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chicago, IL to Waukegan, IL?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Waukegan safer?
Waukegan is safer with a total crime rate of 2,060 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 Waukegan has 445.2. Waukegan 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 Waukegan, IL
Waukegan, a Lake Michigan port city, boasts Ray Bradbury's childhood home and a diverse population. Located 40 miles north of Chicago, it serves as the county seat of Lake County. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 87,155, Waukegan has a total crime rate of 2,059.6 per 100,000 residents.