Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Norwalk leads 15 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Homes cost $187k less ($304,500 vs $491,800)
Rent averages $547/mo less ($1,314 vs $1,861)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $26,206/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 5.9%)
Norwalk, CT
Pros
84% less violent crime than Chicago
Households earn $26,206 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Chicago
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Chicago
Median Home Value
$187k less
$304,500 vs $491,800
Norwalk
Median Income
$26,206
$97,879 vs $71,673/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
84% lower
85.0 vs 539.8 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.2% unemployment
Norwalk
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.8°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $491,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $1,861⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $97,879 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 27.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | A- (113) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% | 42.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 88.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 38.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 34.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Chicago is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 15 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 8 and Norwalk wins 15. 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 Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $491,800 median home), income ($71,673 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Norwalk, CT are about 740 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.