Chicago IL vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 100,713 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 39.1% | 24.0% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $31,989 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 21.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $765,319 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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