Chicago IL vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
San Jose
990,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 990,054 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 39.1% | 29.0% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $1,452,609 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, 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%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 61.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
San Jose
30.4 min
San Jose +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 30.4 min | San Jose + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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