Chicago IL vs Pompano Beach FL — 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%
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
41.7
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Pompano Beach +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 112,212 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 32.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.0% | Pompano Beach + |
| Black | 28.4% | 28.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 24.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Pompano Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
31.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $63,832 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $39,377 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 8.2% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Pompano Beach
53.6%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $353,345 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 53.6% | Pompano Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Pompano Beach
324
Pompano Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Pompano Beach
1453
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Pompano Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Pompano Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Pompano Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
14.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.2% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.7% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 75.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 60.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pompano Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pompano Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 29.9 min | Pompano Beach + |
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, Pompano Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Pompano Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pompano Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.3%.
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