Chicago IL vs Honolulu HI — 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%
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$760,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Honolulu
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Honolulu
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Honolulu
N/A
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Honolulu
N/A
White
Chicago
39.1%
Honolulu
N/A
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Honolulu
N/A
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Honolulu
N/A
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Honolulu
N/A
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | 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
Honolulu
N/A
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Honolulu
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Honolulu
$63,296
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Honolulu
N/A
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Honolulu
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | 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 | $63,296 | 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
Chicago +
Honolulu
$760,355
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $760,355 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Honolulu
2592
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 276 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2592 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Honolulu
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Honolulu
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Honolulu
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Honolulu
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Honolulu
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Honolulu
77.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Honolulu
17.1 in
Honolulu +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 77.7°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 17.1 in | Honolulu + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Honolulu
75.0%
Honolulu +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Honolulu + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Honolulu is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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