Centennial CO 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)
Centennial, CO
Colorado · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$650,791
- 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
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
2,707,648
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
20.7%
White
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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 | $76,653 | $68,110 | Centennial + |
| 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
Centennial
$650,791
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,791 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Centennial +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 32.6% | Centennial + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.0% | Centennial + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 16.0% | Centennial + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.6% | Centennial + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.0% | Centennial + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.9% | Centennial + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Centennial +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.4 in | 37.8 in | Centennial + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Centennial +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Centennial +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Centennial + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Centennial + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Centennial
N/A
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 512 in Centennial. Centennial has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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