Chicago IL vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Orem
10.5%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 86,973 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 10.5% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $70,053 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $33,579 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $60,713 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 25.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $509,396 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1931 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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