Living in Chicago, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chicago · Census data 2020–2024
Chicago has 2,711,226 residents with a median age of 35.8. The median household income is $77,902 (7% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $334,100, the median rent is $1,440/month.
Chicago at a glance
- Population
- 2,711,226
- Median age
- 35.8State: 39
- Median household income
- $77,902State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $334,100State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $1,440/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 46%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 44.3%
- Average commute
- 33 min
Is Chicago a good place to live?
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the Illinois median; home values 27% higher than the state median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Chicago
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chicago the median home value is $334,100, about the same as the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,440 per month, which is 29.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,339 a month in housing costs.
Chicago median household income
The median household income in Chicago is $77,902 and the income per person is $50,086. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Chicago: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,277,054
- Owner-occupied
- 46%
- Renter-occupied
- 54%
- Vacant
- 9.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 2.29
Chicago demographics
- Population
- 2,711,226
- Median age
- 35.8
- Under 18
- 19.4%
- 65 and older
- 13.8%
- Households
- 1,160,205
- Foreign-born
- 20.9%
- Veterans
- 2.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chicago ›
Education in Chicago
44.3% of adults 25 and older in Chicago have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 19% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chicago
- Unemployment rate
- 8%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 33 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 21%
- Drive alone
- 44.7%
- Public transit
- 17.7%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.1%
Chicago vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2,711,226 | $77,902 | $334,100 | $1,440 |
| Cicero | 82,797 | $70,842 | $249,400 | $1,154 |
| Stickney | 6,952 | $66,942 | $244,900 | $1,154 |
| Forest View | 1,174 | $89,702 | $260,500 | — |
| Berwyn | 55,595 | $78,408 | $299,800 | $1,215 |
| Oak Park | 53,292 | $110,820 | $465,500 | $1,593 |
| Bedford Park | 586 | $99,000 | $271,700 | $1,841 |
| Riverside | 9,039 | $153,686 | $491,400 | $1,484 |
| Forest Park | 13,943 | $77,221 | $304,700 | $1,367 |
More for people moving to Chicago
Chicago ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chicago: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chicago, IL?
The median household income in Chicago is $77,902, 7% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chicago?
The median home value in Chicago is $334,100, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Chicago?
The median gross rent in Chicago is $1,440 per month, about 29.3% of household income.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to live?
Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the Illinois median; home values 27% higher than the state median; an average commute of 33 minutes; unemployment of 8%; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
What is the median age in Chicago?
The median age in Chicago is 35.8 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Chicago?
The average commute to work in Chicago is 33 minutes; 21% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chicago?
The unemployment rate in Chicago is 8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chicago?
44.3% of adults in Chicago have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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