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New York vs Chicago: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

New York has a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Chicago's 35.5 per 1,000, making New York 44% safer overall. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Chicago's D+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

New York

New York

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB
Crime Rate19.8/1K
Percentile58%
D+

Chicago

Illinois

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricNew YorkChicago
Overall Crime Rate19.8/1K35.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate380.0750.0
Property Crime Rate1600.02800.0
Murder Rate5.814.1
Assault Rate307.2608.5
Robbery Rate78.0120.9
Burglary Rate209.6376.8
Theft Rate1317.51938.2
Vehicle Theft Rate222.6674.0

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, New York is safer in 9 and Chicago is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In New York, you have a 1 in 51 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 28 in Chicago.

Full Safety Reports

B-
New York, New York Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
D+
Chicago, Illinois Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: New York vs Chicago

New York Climate Overview

Annual High62.7°F
Annual Low47.3°F
Annual Rain49.0"
Annual Snow24.8"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

New YorkChicagoHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Chicago is 8°F colder in winter than New York. Chicago gets significantly more snow (36" vs 25"). New York is wetter with 49" of annual rain compared to 37". New York has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York safer than Chicago?
As of 2026, New York is 44% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents compared to Chicago's 35.5. New York earns a B- safety grade vs Chicago's D+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, New York or Chicago?
Chicago has more violent crime at 750 per 100,000 residents. New York is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in New York vs Chicago?
New York has a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 (violent: 380/100K, property: 1600/100K). Chicago has 35.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 2800/100K).
Should I move to New York or Chicago?
From a safety perspective, New York has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. New York (pop. 8,584,629) and Chicago (pop. 2,731,585) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. New York's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do New York and Chicago compare for property crime?
New York has lower property crime at 1600 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

New York vs Los AngelesNew York vs San FranciscoNew York vs BostonChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs DetroitChicago vs Milwaukee

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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