Chicago IL vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 293,109 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 28.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.4% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $55,279 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $38,947 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 45.4% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.8% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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