Chicago IL vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 192,696 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 28.4% | 3.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 17.2% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,839 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.5% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $510,577 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, 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 +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 52.1°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 41.6 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, 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 Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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