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Chicago vs Philadelphia: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 residents vs Philadelphia's 26.5 per 1,000, making Philadelphia 25% safer overall. Philadelphia earns a C+ safety grade compared to Chicago's D+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

D+

Chicago

Illinois

Overall GradeD+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC-
Crime Rate35.5/1K
Percentile20%
C+

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricChicagoPhiladelphia
Overall Crime Rate35.5/1K26.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate750.0750.0
Property Crime Rate2800.01900.0
Murder Rate14.112.2
Assault Rate608.5561.2
Robbery Rate120.9121.4
Burglary Rate376.8245.4
Theft Rate1938.21445.1
Vehicle Theft Rate674.0266.1

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Chicago is safer in 1 and Philadelphia is safer in 7, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Chicago, you have a 1 in 28 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Philadelphia.

Full Safety Reports

D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Chicago vs Philadelphia

Chicago Climate Overview

Annual High59.3°F
Annual Low42.8°F
Annual Rain36.9"
Annual Snow36.1"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Philadelphia Climate Overview

Annual High64.4°F
Annual Low47.9°F
Annual Rain42.2"
Annual Snow19.0"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

ChicagoPhiladelphiaHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Philadelphia is 3°F warmer in summer than Chicago, but Chicago is 8°F colder in winter than Philadelphia. Chicago gets significantly more snow (36" vs 19"). Philadelphia is wetter with 42" of annual rain compared to 37". Philadelphia has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago safer than Philadelphia?
As of 2026, Philadelphia is 25% safer overall, with a crime rate of 26.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Chicago's 35.5. Philadelphia earns a C+ safety grade vs Chicago's D+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Chicago or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has more violent crime at 750 per 100,000 residents. Chicago is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Chicago vs Philadelphia?
Chicago has a crime rate of 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K). Philadelphia has 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 1900/100K).
Should I move to Chicago or Philadelphia?
From a safety perspective, Philadelphia has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) and Philadelphia (pop. 1,574,281) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Philadelphia's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Chicago and Philadelphia compare for property crime?
Philadelphia has lower property crime at 1900 per 100K vs Chicago's 2800. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs New YorkChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs DetroitPhiladelphia vs New YorkPhiladelphia vs BostonPhiladelphia vs Pittsburgh

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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