Chicago IL vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Chicago
39.1%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Grand Island
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Grand Island
1960
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Grand Island
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.6% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.1% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.8% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Grand Island
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.8°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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