Chicago IL vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 111,514 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.7% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 0.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $55,305 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,949 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.9% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.2% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 22.8% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 33.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.7°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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