Chicago IL vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 143,611 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 28.4% | 21.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 13.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $45,611 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,282 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 28.0% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 38.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 21.3% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 68.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 47.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX