Chicago IL vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Las Vegas
650,873
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 650,873 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 39.1% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 28.4% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $70,723 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $38,421 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $62,696 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $426,069 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 460 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2417 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.0% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 67.4°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
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, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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