Chicago IL vs Roseville 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Roseville
29.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 50,340 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 44.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 39.1% | 7.8% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 0.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 29.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Roseville
$72,248
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Roseville
$77,230
Roseville +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $72,248 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $27,237 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Roseville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 21.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Roseville
48.2%
Roseville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $650,823 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 48.2% | Roseville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Roseville
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Roseville
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, 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%
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Roseville
16.6%
Roseville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 27.2% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.6% | Roseville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, 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
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Roseville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roseville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Roseville
30.5 min
Roseville +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 30.5 min | Roseville + |
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, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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