Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Tucson, AZ
🏆 Tucson leads 13 of 22 categories
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Tucson
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,049
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
541,033
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Households earn $19,624 more per year on average
8% less violent crime than Tucson
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 100°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 6.5%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Tucson
Tucson, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $86k less ($218,200 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $323/mo less ($991 vs $1,314)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (6.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 32°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Median income trails Chicago by $19,624/yr
Violent crime (588.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3313.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$19,624
$71,673 vs $52,049/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
8% lower
539.8 vs 588.8 per 100k
Tucson
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 94.3 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Tucson
Median Home Value
$86k less
$218,200 vs $304,500
Tucson
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
6.5% vs 8.2% unemployment
Tucson
Summer Heat
19.2°F warmer
July avg high 100.2°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Tucson, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 94.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $218,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $991 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $52,049 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 86.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Tucson Unified District (4403) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 66.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 100.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 12.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 541,033 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 15.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Tucson's 94.3 (US average = 100).
Tucson is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Tucson leads 13 of 22 categories. Chicago wins 9 and Tucson 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 Tucson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $218,200 median home), income ($71,673 vs $52,049), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Tucson, AZ are about 1,437 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.