Chicago IL vs Chula Vista CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Chula Vista
20.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 8,933 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 28.4% | 0.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 0.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $49,562 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 26.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $849,245 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 63.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Chula Vista + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.9 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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