Chicago IL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 457,066 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.4 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 9.1% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 28.4% | 18.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $47,372 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 40.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $427,121 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 36.5% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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