Chicago IL vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Irving
255,036
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 255,036 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.7% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 12.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Irving
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Irving
41.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $39,462 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 41.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $344,888 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 38.3% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Irving
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 20.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | 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
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, 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 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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