Chicago IL vs Maple Grove MN — 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%
Maple Grove, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$429,240
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Maple Grove
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Maple Grove
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Maple Grove
33.0
Maple Grove +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Maple Grove
14.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Maple Grove
61.6%
Maple Grove +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Maple Grove
18.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Maple Grove
5.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Maple Grove
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Maple Grove
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 426,845 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Maple Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.6% | Maple Grove + |
| Black | 28.4% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Maple Grove
$80,269
Maple Grove +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Maple Grove
$50,605
Maple Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Maple Grove
$69,467
Maple Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Maple Grove
5.7%
Maple Grove +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Maple Grove
16.4%
Maple Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Maple Grove
54.4%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $80,269 | Maple Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $50,605 | Maple Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Maple Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.7% | Maple Grove + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.4% | Maple Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 54.4% | Maple Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Maple Grove
$429,240
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Maple Grove
48.0%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $429,240 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 48.0% | Maple Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Maple Grove
284
Maple Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Maple Grove
1992
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Maple Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Maple Grove
25.4%
Maple Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Maple Grove
7.2%
Maple Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Maple Grove
13.6%
Maple Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Maple Grove
5.5%
Maple Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Maple Grove
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Maple Grove
9.9%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 25.4% | Maple Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.2% | Maple Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.6% | Maple Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 5.5% | Maple Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.1% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Maple Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Maple Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Maple Grove
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | 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
Maple Grove
8.1 µg/m³
Maple Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Maple Grove
75.0%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Maple Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Maple Grove + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Maple Grove
24.2 min
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.2 min | Maple Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Maple Grove leads in median household income at $80,269, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Maple Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Maple Grove has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Maple Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Maple Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.4%.
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