Chicago, Illinois
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Chicago.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Chicago?
Chicago, IL has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 103 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $315,200 and median rent about $1,380, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $75,134. Typical commute is 35 minutes; summer highs average 83°F. Violent-offense rates run about 943.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 103U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $315,200U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,380U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $75,134U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 35 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 943.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Chicago compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 2,721,308City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $75,134Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 103ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg (100)U.S. 100 - Median home value
- $315,200City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($303,400)U.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,380City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 35 min40% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 7771% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 943.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)61% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2982.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)Near U.S. avg (3087.9)U.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 22°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 34.4 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 244As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Chicago grew 0.9% from 2,697,477 in 2010 to 2,721,308 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Chicago expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Chicago runs 3 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 103 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $315,200 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,380 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Chicago?
Budget first around $1,380/month rent or $315,200 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $315,200
- Median rent $1,380/month
- Median household income $75,134
What is the job market like in Chicago?
Labor-market context for Chicago: unemployment 5.4% and median income $75,134. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 5.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $75,134
How long is the typical commute in Chicago?
Plan on roughly 35 minutes each way in Chicago. Walk Score estimates around 77 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 35 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 77/100
Is Chicago safer than similar U.S. cities?
Chicago's FBI-derived violent rate (~943.2/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 943.2 per 100k
- Property 2982.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Chicago?
Chicago's climate profile: 83°F summer peaks, 22°F winter mornings, 34.4" annual rainfall, and 244 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 22°F
- 34.4 in rain · 244 sunny days
Which neighborhoods do relocators research in Chicago?
Loop is the name relocators hear first; compare it with Lincoln Park and Wicker Park once you know your job location.
- Loop
- Lincoln Park
- Wicker Park
What nearby city comparisons involve Chicago?
These curated pair pages put Chicago beside another high-intent destination with the same proprietary metrics table.
Relocators eyeing Chicago, Illinois will find roughly 2,721,308 residents within city limits. Median household income is roughly $75,134, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 103 — close to the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). Budget for median rents around $1,380 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Loop draws the first wave of relocators; Lincoln Park and Wicker Park tend to show up once people trade vibe for school or parking tradeoffs. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Chicago with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Great Lakes winters and a dense rail/road grid define regional mobility. The normals show about 34.4 inches of rain and 244 sunny days across a typical year. Plan on roughly 35 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 77. Unemployment recently ran near 5.4%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~943.2 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Neighborhoods often researched
- Loop
- Lincoln Park
- Wicker Park
- Hyde Park
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Chicago city, 1600000US1714000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Cook County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00014819 CHICAGO MIDWAY AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10