Chicago IL vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 138,723 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $671,948 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, 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%
Chicago +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 17.0% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 65.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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