Chicago IL vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
688,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 688,693 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 28.4% | 13.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 21.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $66,702 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $37,109 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 34.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 38.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.0% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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