Chicago IL vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Columbus
906,480
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Columbus
14.4%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 906,480 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.4% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 28.4% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Columbus
38.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $65,327 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $37,189 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 38.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $248,749 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 44.3% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Columbus
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 40.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Chicago +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.4 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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