Chicago IL vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 174,693 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.9 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 28.4% | 8.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $45,626 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 37.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $791,317 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 34.6 min | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX