Anaheim CA vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Anaheim +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 20.7% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 39.1% | Anaheim + |
| Black | 2.5% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 7.1% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 29.6% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $75,134 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.8% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 45.5% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 32.6% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.0% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 37.8 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 36.5 min | Anaheim + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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