Chicago IL vs League City 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%
League City, TX
Texas · Population: 114,885
- Median HH Income$119,870
- Median Home Price$373,295
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+47.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
League City
114,885
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
League City
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
League City
37.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
League City
11.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
League City
70.7%
League City +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
League City
7.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
League City
6.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
League City
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
League City
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 114,885 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 11.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.7% | League City + |
| Black | 28.4% | 7.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
League City
$119,870
League City +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
League City
$52,344
League City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
League City
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
League City
3.6%
League City +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
League City
4.5%
League City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
League City
47.9%
League City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $119,870 | League City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $52,344 | League City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 3.6% | League City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.5% | League City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 47.9% | League City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
League City
$373,295
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
League City
74.4%
League City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $373,295 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 74.4% | League City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
League City
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
League City
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, 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%
League City
30.5%
League City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
League City
9.3%
League City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
League City
15.5%
League City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
League City
10.8%
League City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
League City
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
League City
9.7%
League City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.5% | League City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.3% | League City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | League City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.8% | League City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.7% | League City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
League City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
League City
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, 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
League City
9.2 µg/m³
League City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
League City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | League City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
League City
32.4 min
League City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 32.4 min | League City + |
Which City is Right for You?
League City leads in median household income at $119,870, 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 League City. League City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and League City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, League City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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