Bellevue NE 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)
Bellevue, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$300,031
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
2,707,648
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
20.7%
White
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 2,707,648 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$66,354
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $75,134 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $48,148 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 43.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$300,031
Bellevue +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $300,031 | $324,183 | Bellevue + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
294
Bellevue +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
1960
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
37.4%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
10.9%
Bellevue +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
14.3%
Bellevue +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
9.9%
Bellevue +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
17.1%
Bellevue +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
12.6%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.4% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.0% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.6% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.0% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.6 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Bellevue +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellevue + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
N/A
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Bellevue, NE | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $300,031. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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