Chicago IL vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Chicago
39.1%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 119,508 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.2 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 28.4% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.5% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 24.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $69,261 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $44,508 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 37.6% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $399,650 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.9% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 75.4°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 62.3 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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