Chicago IL vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Hialeah
221,901
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 221,901 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 45.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 39.1% | 32.4% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 0.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Hialeah
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $53,079 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $25,766 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 21.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Hialeah
47.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $444,086 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 47.1% | Hialeah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Hialeah
12.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 34.7% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 76.0°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 70.4 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hialeah + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Hialeah
31.7 min
Hialeah +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 31.7 min | Hialeah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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