Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 20.7% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 39.1% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 9.2% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 7.1% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 29.6% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $75,134 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $48,148 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 7.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 16.8% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 45.5% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 32.6% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.0% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 16.0% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.0% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.9% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 36.5 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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