Chicago IL vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 39.1% | 37.3% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 8.5% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Los Angeles
$46,270
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $46,270 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 37.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $956,465 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 36.3% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, 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%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Los Angeles
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 33.8 min | Los Angeles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TXChicago, IL vs San Diego, CA