Chicago IL vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 229,021 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 39.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $802,780 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Chicago +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 37.4 min | Chicago + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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