Chicago IL vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 227,595 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 28.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 10.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $62,671 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,249 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 18.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $374,265 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 43.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 58.9°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 43.6 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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