Chicago IL vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 393,389 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 28.4% | 21.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 4.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 26.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $71,302 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $376,530 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 73.4°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 46.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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