Chicago IL vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 183,032 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 39.1% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 20.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 39.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $510,297 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.7% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 75.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 66.5 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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