Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Fort Worth, TX
🏆 Fort Worth leads 13 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Fort Worth
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$72,726 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
924,663
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 97°F
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 5.3%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Fort Worth, TX
Pros
15% less violent crime than Chicago
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (5.3%)
Homes cost $54k less ($250,300 vs $304,500)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (458.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2699.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Fort Worth
Median Income
$1,053
$72,726 vs $71,673/yr
Fort Worth
Violent Crime
15% lower
458.4 vs 539.8 per 100k
Fort Worth
Median Home Value
$54k less
$250,300 vs $304,500
Fort Worth
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
5.3% vs 8.2% unemployment
Fort Worth
Summer Heat
15.6°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Worth, 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 | $250,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,313 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $72,726 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 27.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 10.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 84.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | FORT WORTH ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 35.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 2.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 924,663 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 33.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 56.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 10.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Fort Worth's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fort Worth leads 13 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 10 and Fort Worth wins 13. 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 Fort Worth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $250,300 median home), income ($71,673 vs $72,726), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Fort Worth, TX are about 820 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.