Chicago IL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 75,721 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 6.8% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $765,686 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 45.2% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Renton
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 40.1 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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