Chicago IL vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Sacramento
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 524,802 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.8% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 12.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 29.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,300 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 36.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $480,548 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Sacramento
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.0°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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