Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Federal Way, WA
🏆 Chicago leads 13 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Federal Way
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High
Population
99,614
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Homes cost $150k less ($304,500 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $346/mo less ($1,314 vs $1,660)
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Smaller class sizes — 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio
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
Median income trails Federal Way by $8,687/yr
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.5%)
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (5.5%)
Households earn $8,687 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Chicago
Median Home Value
$150k less
$304,500 vs $454,300
Chicago
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 81.0°F vs 76.8°F
Federal Way
Median Income
$8,687
$80,360 vs $71,673/yr
Federal Way
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
5.5% vs 8.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $1,660⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $80,360 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 33.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 144⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer | 208⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 30.6% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Federal Way School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 40.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 99,614 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 55.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 23.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Federal Way's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chicago leads 13 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 13 and Federal Way wins 10. 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 Federal Way or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $454,300 median home), income ($71,673 vs $80,360), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Federal Way, WA are about 1,732 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.