Chicago IL vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 11,627 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 39.1% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 28.4% | 15.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $472,888 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 22.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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