Chicago IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 307,188 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 39.1% | 16.5% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $48,416 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $25,509 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 10.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 24.7% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $482,675 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 24.1% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 35.9% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 23.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.2% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 54.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Newark
35.9 min
Newark +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 35.9 min | Newark + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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