Chicago IL vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 209,529 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.0 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 39.1% | 38.0% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 17.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Yonkers
7.4%
Yonkers +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $42,770 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 35.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $685,544 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Yonkers
11.9%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Chicago +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 37.5 min | Chicago + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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