Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 59.9% | 39.1% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 7.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 29.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $75,134 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $48,148 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 43.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.6% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.0% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.8 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 36.5 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PAAustin, TX vs San Antonio, TX