Chicago IL vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
El Paso
678,147
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Chicago
39.1%
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 678,147 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.1% | 39.3% | El Paso + |
| Black | 28.4% | 3.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $58,734 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,942 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 27.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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