Chicago, IL
Census place 1714000 · pop 2,711,226
Birthplace of the modern skyscraper, built after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire leveled the city.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.52 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
33 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
3490 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
100/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
46.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 42 AQI · worse than most cities
54 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
540 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
11 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,406/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
13.6% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
16.8% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.48% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
+0.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
89.1% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$334,100 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities
24.7% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities
$77,902 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
32.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
11.9% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
16.0% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
44.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Frequently asked
- Is Chicago, IL a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Chicago scores 30/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is bachelor's degree or higher and its weakest is income inequality. Illinois overall ranks #39 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Chicago, IL?
- Chicago reports 540 violent crimes per 100k and 3490 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Chicago, IL expensive to live in?
- Chicago has a median home value of $334,100 and typical rent around $2,406/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Chicago, IL?
- Its weakest measured area is income inequality (0.52) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Chicago, IL best at?
- Its strongest measured area is bachelor's degree or higher (44.3%) — 75/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Birthplace of the modern skyscraper, built after the 1871 Great Chicago Fire leveled the city.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.