Chicago IL vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 308,160 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 39.1% | 38.7% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 11.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $1,566,872 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 43.8% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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