Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Phoenix, AZ
🏆 Chicago leads 12 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Phoenix
Arizona
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High
Population
1,609,456
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
32% less violent crime than Phoenix
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 104°F
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Homes cost $36k less ($304,500 vs $340,200)
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
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.2%)
Longer commutes — 34.1 min average each way
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.0 pts lower (5.2%)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Violent Crime
32% lower
539.8 vs 799.6 per 100k
Chicago
Median Home Value
$36k less
$304,500 vs $340,200
Phoenix
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Phoenix
Unemployment
3.0 pp lower
5.2% vs 8.2% unemployment
Phoenix
Summer Heat
23.0°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $340,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $1,322 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $72,092 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 25.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 14.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 210⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 111⚠ 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 | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% ✓ Higher | 83.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 1,609,456 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 34.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 56.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Phoenix's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Phoenix is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chicago leads 12 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 12 and Phoenix wins 11. 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 Phoenix or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $340,200 median home), income ($71,673 vs $72,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ are about 1,445 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.