Chicago IL vs Glendale AZ — 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%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Glendale
271,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Glendale
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Glendale
9.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Glendale
3.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Glendale
6.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Glendale
17.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 271,118 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.7% | Glendale + |
| Black | 28.4% | 3.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Glendale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Glendale
$408,630
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $408,630 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Glendale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Glendale
2150
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Glendale
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Glendale
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.9% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.0 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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