Chicago IL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 209,720 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 8.3% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 28.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Rochester
7.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $46,628 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,451 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 26.6% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 37.2% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 38.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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