Chicago IL vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Denver
13.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 713,734 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 28.4% | 8.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 27.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $541,899 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 25.9% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.4 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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