Comparing two robust and diverse cities like Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington, entails a holistic look at various factors. From safety realms, weather temperament, living costs, to cultural nuances, and healthcare facilities, both cities present unique aspects that draw different crowds, serving countless lifestyles and preferences. Here we unpack the various feature points distinguishing these two staple American cities.
Distance between
Chicago, IL and
Seattle, WA : 1,731.7 miles
Chicago's population is larger by 267%. Its population has decreased by 199,461 people (6.9%) since 2000. The population of Seattle has grown by 170,545 people (30.3%) during that time.
Chicago has struggled with crime, particularly violent crime, with rates higher than the national average. However, it varies significantly by neighborhood, and downtown areas are generally quite safe. Seattle, on the other hand, has crime rates closer to the national average. Although it experiences property crimes more than violent crimes, its downtown regions are perceived as safer.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 3,389 registered sex offenders living in Chicago and 480 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Chicago is 798 to 1; the ratio in Seattle is 1,467 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Chicago than in Seattle.
Cost of Living
Seattle is generally more expensive than Chicago. The cost of housing is the biggest factor in this; home prices and rent are significantly higher in Seattle. While food, healthcare, utilities, and transportation costs are also higher in Seattle than in Chicago.
Income Tax
Seattle doesn't impose an income tax, granting it an edge over Chicago, which tags along with Illinois's income tax rate of 4.95%.
Property Tax
Both cities have high property taxes. Chicago's average rate is slightly above 2%, while Seattle's is lower, around 1%.
Sales Tax
Chicago carries a higher sales tax than Seattle, with Chicago's combining to an overall rate of 10.25%, one of the highest in the nation. Seattle's sales tax is also high, at 10.1%, but slightly lower.
Income
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Estimated median household income
$66,576
$110,781
Estimated per capita income
$43,217
$74,733
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
104.8
118.5
If you make $50,000 in Chicago, you will have to make $56,536 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Chicago's flat midwestern landscape contrasts Seattle's hilly topography surrounded by water bodies and mountains, offering beautiful, scenic views.
Both cities boast strong educational opportunities. Chicago is home to several prestigious universities, including the University of Chicago, while Seattle is home to the University of Washington. Both cities have robust public school systems, with average performance in Chicago being somewhat mixed and Seattle's slightly outperforming the national average.
Chicago thrives on diverse economic sectors, including finance, technology, and healthcare. However, Seattle has a stronger job market, with significant growth in tech, healthcare, and manufacturing. Seattle's median income is also higher than Chicago's.
Biggest Employers
In Chicago, the largest employers are the federal and local government, the public school system, and healthcare institutions. Meanwhile, Seattle's biggest employers are Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks along with the local government.
There were 414 building permits issued in Chicago in 2012 (200 more than in 2011) compared to 264 building permits issued in Seattle in 2012 (52 less than in 2011).
In Chicago (Cook County), 74.0% voted for Democrats and 24.6% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Seattle (King County), 69.0% voted for Democrats and 28.5% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
2020
74.6%
75.1%
24.1%
22.3%
1.3%
2.6%
2016
74.4%
70.0%
20.9%
21.1%
4.7%
8.9%
2012
74.0%
69.0%
24.6%
28.5%
1.4%
2.5%
2008
76.4%
70.2%
22.9%
28.1%
0.7%
1.7%
2004
70.3%
65.1%
29.2%
33.8%
0.6%
1.1%
2000
69.0%
60.3%
28.8%
34.5%
2.3%
5.2%
1996
66.8%
56.4%
26.7%
31.4%
6.5%
12.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
CATHOLIC CHURCH
37.5%
14.4%
11.1%
4.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.9%
0.6%
1.8%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
1.3%
4.3%
4.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
0.3%
5.4%
3.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.5%
3.6%
2.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.6%
1.6%
2.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.8%
1.8%
2.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.6%
1.9%
2.3%
Weather
Chicago is known for its hot summers,cold winters, and wind-known as the "Windy City." Seattle's atmosphere is milder, with cool, wet winters and mild, relatively dry summers. The city is also famous for its rain, although it gets less annual rainfall than many assume.
Weather and climate
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Temperature - Average
50.3°F
52.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
78.5%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
38%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
86%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
54%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.8 in
36.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
77.6 in
21.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14%
11.6%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
49.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
44%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
35%
20%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
8.6 mph
Average climate in Chicago, Illinois
Average climate in Seattle, Washington
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
Chicago
Seattle
2018
97
82
0.26
0.21
14.3
10.6
26.2
20.7
N/A
N/A
23.6
N/A
9.3
8.3
1.7
0.7
2017
95
92
0.25
0.23
14.3
11.1
26.4
21.0
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
8.7
8.8
1.4
0.3
2016
95
67
0.21
0.22
14.9
11.9
26.5
20.3
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.1
6.6
0.8
0.6
2015
92
81
0.51
0.23
15.0
10.8
25.4
19.3
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
10.5
8.5
0.9
0.8
2014
101
75
0.45
0.24
18.0
11.5
25.1
19.5
N/A
N/A
28.9
N/A
10.7
7.4
1.3
N/A
2013
100
81
0.37
0.24
18.3
N/A
23.8
17.4
N/A
N/A
30.3
N/A
11.1
9.1
1.0
0.8
2012
112
77
0.36
0.23
18.8
N/A
25.7
19.5
N/A
N/A
31.3
N/A
12.1
7.7
1.7
1.0
2011
101
72
0.38
0.24
18.6
N/A
24.8
18.6
N/A
N/A
21.9
N/A
12.8
7.5
2.4
1.1
2010
103
71
0.37
0.24
20.4
N/A
25.4
18.0
N/A
N/A
22.2
N/A
12.9
6.7
1.4
1.1
2009
106
94
0.29
0.27
20.0
N/A
22.4
17.7
0.025
N/A
20.1
N/A
12.9
8.0
1.4
1.4
2008
108
80
0.32
0.30
22.8
N/A
22.8
17.8
0.026
N/A
22.7
N/A
12.5
6.5
1.8
1.3
2007
125
83
0.34
0.30
23.6
N/A
23.9
18.2
0.027
N/A
25.9
20.3
13.1
7.9
2.2
1.5
2006
95
98
0.31
N/A
23.0
N/A
21.1
18.3
0.029
N/A
22.0
22.6
N/A
8.7
2.6
N/A
2005
110
101
0.55
0.80
23.5
18.3
23.3
N/A
0.027
N/A
26.2
24.5
N/A
9.5
3.3
3.5
2004
85
102
0.83
0.81
23.9
17.9
20.3
N/A
0.032
N/A
23.4
N/A
N/A
10.3
4.1
3.0
2003
99
91
0.69
0.78
25.1
18.5
20.0
N/A
0.030
N/A
23.3
N/A
N/A
9.9
3.1
2.4
2002
114
87
0.83
0.82
26.5
19.3
20.8
N/A
0.029
N/A
24.4
N/A
N/A
11.7
3.3
2.7
2001
107
88
0.83
0.90
27.3
20.7
19.2
N/A
0.031
0.005
28.5
N/A
N/A
12.3
4.3
3.7
2000
104
98
0.88
1.06
24.8
20.9
17.6
N/A
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.3
4.2
3.2
Natural disasters
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
145.8%
5.5%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
136.9%
1,394.2%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
30%
Transportation
Both cities offer robust public transit systems but Seattle ranks higher in walkability and bike-friendliness. Chicago's "L" train system is an icon, while Seattle's bus and light rail, especially the Link light rail, provide extensive service coverage.
Transport
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
1
1
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
2
Means of transportation to work
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Bicycle
1.6%
2.1%
Bus
8%
8.9%
Carpooled
8.3%
8.7%
Car alone
62.3%
67.8%
Ferryboat
0%
0.7%
Motorcycle
0%
0.3%
Railroad
0.2%
1.2%
Streetcar
6.8%
0.3%
Subway
3.5%
0.6%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.1%
Walked
5.9%
8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Average
36.9 min
35 min
Other means
33.1 min
23.5 min
Public transportation
44.8 min
35.6 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
86.7%
89%
In 2 person carpool
9.3%
8.7%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
0.8%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.2%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
1.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real Estate in Seattle is significantly costlier than in Chicago, likely due to tech industry growth. Roles are reversed for rental places with Chicago having somewhat costly rentals compared to the national average, and Seattle with higher rates.
Neighborhoods
Chicago is known for its distinct neighborhoods, each rich in cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Seattle's neighborhoods vary greatly, from urban to suburban-feel, each offering unique attractions, fostering inclusive communities.
Houses and residents
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Houses
1,272,191
384,799
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.1
Median year apartment built
1955
1987
Median year house/condo built
1951
1955
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.7 years
12.4 years
Houses occupied
1,139,537 (89.6%)
351,650 (91.4%)
Houses occupied by owners
530,977 (46.6%)
161,587 (46%)
Houses occupied by renters
608,560 (53.4%)
190,063 (54%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,546
$2,780
Median monthly housing costs
$1,356
$1,984
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$355,671
$860,506
Estimated median house or condo value
$297,300
$848,100
Median numbers of rooms
4.8
4.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$357,707
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$345,352
$764,579
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$477,161
$719,049
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$439,589
$626,370
Median house price - mobile homes
$472,017
$226,727
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$235,959
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$518,665
$925,507
Median house price - All housing units
$388,874
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
70
47
Renting percentage
55.1%
51.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,601.1
4,587.9
House value disparities
35.6%
20.6%
Household income disparities
48.4%
42.2%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$110,175
$189,767
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,495
$112,771
Housing units without a mortgage
6,624 (1.9%)
2,459 (2.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
17,661 (5.1%)
12,354 (10.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
339,523 (98.1%)
115,481 (97.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
808 (0.2%)
240 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
25,416 (7.3%)
13,881 (11.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
2
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.5%
2.2%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.8%
0.4%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Chicago
Seattle
One, detached
26.4%
39.6%
One, attached
3.5%
6.0%
Two
13.3%
2.0%
3 or 4
14.0%
3.2%
5 to 9
11.0%
5.7%
10 to 19
4.6%
7.0%
20 to 49
6.5%
11.9%
50 or more
20.6%
24.4%
Mobile homes
0.2%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
67,964
24,994
State government workers
41,316
27,235
Unpaid family workers
4,164
947
Industries and Occupations
Both cities excel in healthcare and tech sectors. In Chicago, finance, publishing, and food processing are significant contributors, while Seattle is known globally for tech and manufacturing, housing Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing.
Both cities provide quality healthcare. Seattle consistently ranks among the top cities for healthcare, while Chicago is home to a vast network of hospitals, including the nationally recognized Northwestern Medicine.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Chicago
Seattle
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both cities boast robust infrastructures. Chicago has the advantage of historical and architectural richness with well-maintained roads, bridges, and public buildings. Seattle, having substantial technological investments, presents a blend of old and new, providing modernized infrastructure while preserving historical sites.
Infrastructure
Type
Chicago
Seattle
Hospitals
86
22
TV stations
22
17
Arenas or stadiums
7
5
Bank branches located here
740
236
Bank institutions located here
99
37
Main business address for public companies
110
54
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
22
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Chicago
Seattle
1999
7,501
1,357
2000
8,763
1,148
2001
7,090
890
2002
7,745
840
2003
10,485
1,421
2004
14,761
1,810
2005
24,041
2,341
2006
29,365
2,789
2007
17,767
2,273
2008
8,601
1,113
2009
3,506
748
Culture and Food
Chicago offers a mix of midwestern and international culture, resulting in a diverse food scene--deep-dish pizza and hot dogs being iconic. Seattle showcases a vibrant arts scene mixed with Pacific Northwest culture, enticing foodies with seafood and coffee.
Sports Teams
For sports enthusiasts, Chicago, with the Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs, offers more professional sports options. Seattle, however, is home to Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, and newly established Kraken.
Chicago, IL
Seattle, WA
