Chicago IL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 149,519 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.8% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $39,604 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.0% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $422,520 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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