Chicago IL vs Everett WA — 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%
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Everett
111,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Everett
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Everett
37.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Everett
21.6%
Everett +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Everett
61.4%
Everett +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Everett
6.5%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Everett
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Everett
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 111,083 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.6% | Everett + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.4% | Everett + |
| Black | 28.4% | 6.5% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 10.0% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Everett
$81,502
Everett +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Everett
$44,115
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Everett
$76,120
Everett +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Everett
5.4%
Everett +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Everett
12.1%
Everett +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Everett
28.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $81,502 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,115 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Everett + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | Everett + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.1% | Everett + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 28.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Everett
$665,406
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Everett
50.0%
Everett +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $665,406 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.0% | Everett + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Everett
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Everett
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Everett
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Everett
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Everett
9.8%
Everett +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Everett
16.5%
Everett +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Everett
11.6%
Everett +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.8% | Everett + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.5% | Everett + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.6% | Everett + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Everett
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Everett
38.4 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 51.8°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.4 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Everett
75.0%
Everett +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Everett + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Everett
28.9 min
Everett +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.9 min | Everett + |
Which City is Right for You?
Everett leads in median household income at $81,502, 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 383 in Everett. Everett has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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