Chicago IL vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Louisville
627,210
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 627,210 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 28.4% | 23.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $64,731 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $38,890 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $52,606 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 33.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 43.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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