City profile
Chicago, IL
A Black cultural capital — Bronzeville, the DuSable Museum, jazz, blues and lakefront parks.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
26°F
Summer avg
74°F
Sunny days / yr
189
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$340,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,489
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
110
Taxes
- Property tax
- 2.07%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.95%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.86%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Very High · county score 100/100
Top hazards: Winter weather, Cold wave, Tornado
Nearest major airport
9 mi to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 70% Democratic / 28% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
2,711,226
Growth since 2019
+0.1%
Median age
35.8
Residents 65+
13.8%
Median household income
$77,902
Income growth since 2019
+33.7%
Black household income
$45,844
Home ownership
46.0%
Poverty rate
16.8%
Poverty rate, 65+
18.0%
Race & ethnicity: Black 27.4% · White 32.1% · Hispanic 29.7% · Asian 7.2% · Other 3.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
420 · 28% above the national average
Property crime
2,956 · 90% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Chicago Police Department. State average: violent 258, property 1,556.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving IL than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: severe storms
Highlights
- Bronzeville & DuSable Museum
- Superb transit and healthcare
- Lakefront parks
Trade-offs
- Very high property taxes
- Cold winters
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.