Chicago IL vs McKinney 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
McKinney
148,848
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
McKinney
3.0%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 148,848 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 39.1% | 37.8% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 24.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.0% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
McKinney
$71,843
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
McKinney
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $71,843 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $29,291 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 18.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $487,346 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, 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%
Chicago +
McKinney
33.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
McKinney
18.3%
McKinney +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.9% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.3% | McKinney + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
McKinney
40.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 64.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 40.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
McKinney +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
McKinney
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | McKinney + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
McKinney
35.6 min
McKinney +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 35.6 min | McKinney + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, 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 McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and McKinney has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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