Chicago IL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 741,440 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 19.9% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 28.4% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $871,599 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 44.3% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Seattle
19.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.6°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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