Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 89.9% | 39.1% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $68,110 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 16.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 45.5% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Chicago
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 344 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 1842 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 49.2°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 37.8 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Cheyenne +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cheyenne + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 36.5 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Cheyenne, WY vs New York, NYCheyenne, WY vs Los Angeles, CACheyenne, WY vs Houston, TXCheyenne, WY vs Phoenix, AZCheyenne, WY vs Philadelphia, PACheyenne, WY vs San Antonio, TX