Chicago IL vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 68,141 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.1 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 39.1% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 5.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 19.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $523,551 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Vallejo
12.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.3% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vallejo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Vallejo
36.0 min
Vallejo +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 36.0 min | Vallejo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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