Chicago IL vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 287,339 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.3 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 28.4% | 9.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $507,575 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Plano
27.6 min
Plano +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.6 min | Plano + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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