Chicago IL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 220,482 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.3 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 12.2% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 28.4% | 10.5% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 13.1% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,756 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 33.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $496,966 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, 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%
Chicago +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 37.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 53.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 39.2 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 Tacoma. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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