Chicago IL vs New Rochelle NY — 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%
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
New Rochelle
66.1%
New Rochelle +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
17.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
2.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 48,198 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Black | 28.4% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.0% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $48,535 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,033 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 9.7% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.7% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 22.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $920,484 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | 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
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Rochelle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
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 434 in New Rochelle. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX