Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 68.4% | 39.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $75,134 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 16.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $324,183 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 45.5% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 36.5 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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