Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Homes cost $333k less ($304,500 vs $637,400)
Rent averages $1039/mo less ($1,314 vs $2,353)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 87°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $76,554/yr
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 3.4%)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $76,554 more per year on average
74% less violent crime than Chicago
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (3.4%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Chicago
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Chicago
Median Home Value
$333k less
$304,500 vs $637,400
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$76,554
$148,227 vs $71,673/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
74% lower
138.1 vs 539.8 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
3.4% vs 8.2% unemployment
Highlands Ranch
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 25.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | A- (114) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 44.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 18.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 7 and Highlands Ranch wins 16. 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 Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $637,400 median home), income ($71,673 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 918 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.