Chicago IL vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 115,396 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 39.1% | 21.4% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $41,898 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $608,357 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, 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%
Chicago +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Richmond
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.9% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 58.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Chicago +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 37.7 min | Chicago + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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