Chicago IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 205,501 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 28.4% | 12.1% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 6.9% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 24.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $67,544 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,825 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 34.1% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $435,532 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 42.4% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 35.3% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.5% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 48.1 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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