

Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA comes out ahead of Chicago, IL on 23 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 22. Chicago, IL leads on Economics. Los Angeles, CA leads on Crime & Safety.
45 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 22
- Avg. percentile
- 35
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 23
- Avg. percentile
- 33
- Categories led
- 1
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,727,758 3rd of 477 | 3,863,148 2nd of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $77,902 178th of 434 | $81,939 151st of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $334,100 228th of 434 | $921,200 392nd of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.8% 277th of 434 | 16.5% 271st of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 103.6 tied 337th of 460 | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $73,380 tied 97th of 460 | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,440 242nd of 434 | $1,933 352nd of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 420.4 223rd of 395 | 667.7 309th of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsChicago, IL · 14 statistics
- Crime & SafetyLos Angeles, CA · 5 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 83.6 tied 91st of 460 | 158.6 tied 419th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $334,100 228th of 434 | $921,200 392nd of 434 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 89.1% 320th of 434 | 92.6% 172nd of 434 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 112.0 tied 272nd of 460 | 170.4 tied 414th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,440 242nd of 434 | $1,933 352nd of 434 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 12.7 350th of 395 | 5.8 263rd of 395 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 420.4 223rd of 395 | 667.7 309th of 395 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 103.6 tied 337th of 460 | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,942.4 318th of 395 | 2,235.5 246th of 395 |
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 227.7 207th of 395 | 308.4 275th of 395 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 100.5 tied 345th of 460 | 104.4 tied 413th of 460 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 44.3% 119th of 434 | 38.5% 167th of 434 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $73,380 tied 97th of 460 | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $77,902 178th of 434 | $81,939 151st of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 663.9 372nd of 395 | 518.8 348th of 395 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $54,720 tied 113th of 460 | $55,850 tied 87th of 460 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 33.1 414th of 434 | 30.7 396th of 434 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 107.3 tied 429th of 460 | 106.6 tied 411th of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.8% 277th of 434 | 16.5% 271st of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Chicago, IL or Los Angeles, CA?
- Los Angeles, CA comes out ahead of Chicago, IL on 23 of 45 statistics where one end is better, to 22. Chicago, IL leads on Economics. Los Angeles, CA leads on Crime & Safety. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Chicago, IL or Los Angeles, CA?
- Chicago, IL has a population of 2,727,758 (3rd of 477 US cities) and Los Angeles, CA has 3,863,148 (2nd of 477).
- How do Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Chicago, IL $77,902 (178th of 434), Los Angeles, CA $81,939 (151st of 434) among US cities. Los Angeles, CA ranks better.
- How do Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Chicago, IL $334,100 (228th of 434), Los Angeles, CA $921,200 (392nd of 434) among US cities. Chicago, IL ranks better.
- Where does Chicago, IL beat Los Angeles, CA most clearly?
- Chicago, IL ranks far ahead on Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 83.6 vs 158.6; Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $334,100 vs $921,200; Price Level (Housing Rents) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 112.0 vs 170.4.
- Where does Los Angeles, CA beat Chicago, IL most clearly?
- Los Angeles, CA ranks far ahead on Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 92.6% vs 89.1%; Murder Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 5.8 vs 12.7; Property Crime Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 2,235.5 vs 2,942.4.
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