Chicago IL vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
483,099
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 483,099 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.4% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 18.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,893 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 41.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $451,202 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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