Living in Chicago, IL

Chicago is the 3rd-largest city in the US, home to about 2.73 million people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.6 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

2,731,585-0.6% since 2020

Median home value

$334,1004.3 years of median income

Median rent

$1,440/morent plus utilities

Household income

$77,902median, per year

Price level

103.6US average = 100

January / July highs

33° / 85°lows 19° / 68°

Average commute

33 min21% work from home

State income tax

4.95%top rate, flat

Cost of living in Chicago

The median home in Chicago is worth $334,100 and the median household earns $77,902 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,440 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area at 103.6, with housing at 112.0 and goods at 107.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,700 here. Illinois taxes wages at a top rate of 4.95% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Illinois is 8.98%.

All items103.6

Housing112.0

Goods107.3

Utilities83.6

Other services100.5

What would my salary be worth in Chicago?

Chicago weather

Average highs run from 33°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 34 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 39 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 106 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to October.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Chicago

People and work

The median resident is 35.8 years old, and 44% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 46% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 33 minutes; 21% of workers work from home and 18% take public transit.

Median age

35.8229th youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

44%adults 25+

Homeowners

46%of households

People per sq mile

11,994227.7 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

18%6% walk, 1.4% bike

Unemployment

8%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

16.8%of residents

Typical home built

1953median year

Who moves to Chicago, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Houston (Harris County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and New York County, NY. See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Chicago

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Art Institute of Chicago Museum 4 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Rate Field 3 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Wrigley Field 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Field Museum of Natural History Museum 4 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Museum 7 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa Museum 6 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Northwestern University 14 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Adler Planetarium Museum 4 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of Chicago 6 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Shedd Aquarium Aquarium 4 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Indiana Dunes National Park National park 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Barack Obama Presidential Center Museum 7 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Chicago

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Chicago

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Chicago

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 11, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 21 and the first frost comes around October 31.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Chicago Midway Airport, IL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Chicago.

Wildfire smoke in Chicago

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Chicago on about 133 days a year, including about 36 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Chicago

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 1,160,205 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Chicago

Downtown Chicago is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Cicero School District 99 (8,664 students), J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 (7,709 students), Consolidated High School District 230 (7,613 students), Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (5,560 students), Community High School District 218 (5,436 students), Proviso Township High School District 209 (4,458 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Chicago's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Chicago's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• New Haven, CT78% matchCompare
• Providence, RI77% matchCompare
• Warwick, RI77% matchCompare
• Cranston, RI76% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Chicago

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Homer Glen International Dark Sky Community 22 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Beverly Shores International Dark Sky Community 38 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Middle Fork River Forest Preserve International Dark Sky Park 102 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Chicago

• Wilmot Mountain 52 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Alpine Valley Resort 72 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Timber Ridge Ski Area 105 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Little Switzerland 107 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Chicago

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data 18% of workers take public transit, so living without a car is realistic.

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Cons

• Data Commutes are long: 33 minutes each way on average.
• Data High natural hazard risk in Cook County (FEMA rates it very high), led by tornado, inland flooding and heat wave.
• Data Air quality is a concern: 32 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Cities near Chicago

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Looking at the suburbs? Libertyville, Campton Hills and New Lenox lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Chicago.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

Compare Chicago with another city

Chicago vsCompare

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are long commutes. Compare Chicago side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Chicago?

The Census Bureau estimates Chicago had 2,731,585 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 2,748,333 in April 2020 (-0.6%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Chicago?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,700 in the Chicago area. The median household here earns $77,902.

When is the best time to visit Chicago?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 33°F for daytime highs.

What county is Chicago in?

Most of Chicago (99% of its land) is in Cook County. Smaller parts lie in DuPage County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Chicago in?

Chicago is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Chicago?

About 587 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Illinois have a state income tax?

Yes. Illinois has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.95% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Chicago. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Chicago Midway Airport, IL station; snowfall from Chicago Midway Airport 3Sw, IL. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.