Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Dallas, TX
🏆 Chicago leads 14 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Dallas
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
1,300,642
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
18% less violent crime than Dallas
Households earn $7,688 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 97°F
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Dallas, TX
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 32°F
Homes cost $34k less ($270,700 vs $304,500)
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Chicago by $7,688/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Chicago
Median Income
$7,688
$71,673 vs $63,985/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
18% lower
539.8 vs 658.2 per 100k
Dallas
Median Home Value
$34k less
$270,700 vs $304,500
Dallas
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.2% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
15.9°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Dallas, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $270,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,305 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $63,985 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 26.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 11.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B+ (106) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 36.5% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 80.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | DALLAS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 1.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 1,300,642 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 11.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Dallas's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chicago leads 14 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 14 and Dallas wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Dallas or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $270,700 median home), income ($71,673 vs $63,985), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX are about 799 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.