Chicago IL vs Livonia MI — 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Livonia
94,058
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Livonia
8.2%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Livonia
3.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 94,058 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 45.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.2% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Livonia
$46,588
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Livonia
40.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $46,588 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Livonia
$314,705
Livonia +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $314,705 | Livonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Livonia
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Livonia
16.8%
Livonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.8% | Livonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | 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
Chicago +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Livonia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Chicago + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Livonia
25.8 min
Livonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.8 min | Livonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, while livonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $314,705. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Chicago has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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