Chicago IL vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 79,526 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.0% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $514,358 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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