When comparing life in Chicago, Illinois with Austin, Texas, several factors come into play. These two cities each have their unique characteristics and offer a different blend of opportunities and challenges. While Chicago is a larger city, known for its diverse culture, vibrant cityscape, and harsh winters, Austin boasts a lower cost of living, milder climate, and a booming tech sector. These aspects and many more will be carefully delineated in this in-depth comparison, considering all aspects of life, from crime and safety to healthcare.
Distance between
Chicago, IL and
Austin, TX : 974.0 miles
Chicago's population is larger by 180%. Its population has decreased by 199,461 people (6.9%) since 2000. The population of Austin has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) during that time.
Chicago has a higher crime rate than the national average and significantly higher than Austin. However, it must be noted that crime is not evenly distributed across the city, and certain neighborhoods have lower crime levels. On the other hand, Austin's crime rate is closer to the national average. Both cities have made notable efforts to combat crime and improve safety.
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 3,411 registered sex offenders living in Chicago and 1,411 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Chicago is 793 to 1; the ratio in Austin is 672 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents in Chicago is near to than in Austin.
Cost of Living
Compared to Chicago, Austin has a lower cost of living—mainly due to lower housing costs. Other essential needs, such as groceries, healthcare, and transportation, are also generally less expensive in Austin than in Chicago. However, as Austin's popularity continues to surge, its cost of living is rising.
Income Tax
Texas does not levy a state income tax making Austin more attractive for those keen on saving. However, Illinois, home to Chicago, has a flat income tax rate currently set at 4.95%.
Property Tax
In terms of property tax, Chicago’s average rate is higher than Austin's. Illinois has the second-highest property tax rate in the nation, while Texas ranks sixth.
Sales Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, which stands in contrast with Illinois's 4.95% tax rate. However, Austin's sales tax rate is 8.25%, compared to Chicago's 10.25%, one of the highest in the nation.
Income
Type
Chicago
Austin
Estimated median household income
$66,576
$79,542
Estimated per capita income
$43,217
$53,937
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
104.8
96.4
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $54,357 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Chicago is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, featuring a flat topography with an abundance of green space. Comparatively, Austin is in central Texas, with a hilly to the west and flat to the east terrain and has numerous lakes and parks.
Both cities house excellent universities and school systems. Chicago is home to the prestigious University of Chicago and Northwestern University, while Austin is home to the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest schools in the nation. Both cities also provide a variety of public, private, and charter school options for K-12 education.
Chicago has a diverse economy with a strong base in finance, marketing, publishing, food processing, and manufacturing. Austin, however, is known for its booming tech industry and is often referred to as the "Silicon Hills." Both cities show strong economies with numerous job opportunities across different sectors.
Biggest Employers
In Chicago, some of the largest employers include the Federal Government, Chicago Public Schools, and the City of Chicago. In Austin, the State of Texas, University of Texas at Austin, and Dell Technologies provide significant employment.
There were 414 building permits issued in Chicago in 2012 (200 more than in 2011) compared to 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011).
In Chicago (Cook County), 74.0% voted for Democrats and 24.6% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
2020
74.6%
71.7%
24.1%
26.5%
1.3%
1.8%
2016
74.4%
65.8%
20.9%
27.2%
4.7%
7.0%
2012
74.0%
60.2%
24.6%
36.2%
1.4%
3.6%
2008
76.4%
63.8%
22.9%
34.4%
0.7%
1.8%
2004
70.3%
56.1%
29.2%
42.1%
0.6%
1.8%
2000
69.0%
41.7%
28.8%
47.0%
2.3%
11.3%
1996
66.8%
52.4%
26.7%
40.0%
6.5%
7.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
CATHOLIC CHURCH
37.5%
17.3%
11.1%
4.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.9%
1.2%
1.8%
0.7%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
1.0%
4.3%
2.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.0%
8.0%
5.4%
22.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.9%
3.6%
2.1%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.4%
0.1%
1.6%
0.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.4%
1.8%
2.8%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.2%
1.9%
1.0%
Weather
Chicago, located in the Midwest, experiences all four seasons, with chilly, windy winters and warm, relatively humid summers. On the other hand, Austin experiences a hot humid summer and mild winters, typical in the southern parts of the United States. For those who prefer year-round warmer weather, Austin may be more attractive.
Weather and climate
Type
Chicago
Austin
Temperature - Average
50.3°F
68.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
75.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
31%
40%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
85%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
54%
49%
Precipitation - Yearly average
37.8 in
33.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
77.6 in
1.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
14%
19.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
56.8%
63.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
33%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
68%
72%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
35%
50%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
7.2 mph
Average climate in Chicago, Illinois
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Austin
Chicago
Austin
2018
97
76
0.26
N/A
14.3
4.9
26.2
26.7
N/A
N/A
23.6
N/A
9.3
8.7
1.7
0.2
2017
95
76
0.25
N/A
14.3
4.6
26.4
29.7
N/A
N/A
25.1
N/A
8.7
8.3
1.4
0.3
2016
95
71
0.21
N/A
14.9
4.2
26.5
29.5
N/A
N/A
17.3
N/A
9.1
8.2
0.8
0.2
2015
92
78
0.51
N/A
15.0
4.4
25.4
28.9
N/A
N/A
23.3
N/A
10.5
8.6
0.9
0.3
2014
101
74
0.45
N/A
18.0
5.2
25.1
28.3
N/A
N/A
28.9
N/A
10.7
8.7
1.3
0.5
2013
100
78
0.37
0.09
18.3
5.5
23.8
29.5
N/A
N/A
30.3
N/A
11.1
8.6
1.0
0.5
2012
112
86
0.36
0.13
18.8
5.5
25.7
30.1
N/A
N/A
31.3
N/A
12.1
8.6
1.7
N/A
2011
101
83
0.38
0.11
18.6
2.6
24.8
33.0
N/A
N/A
21.9
N/A
12.8
9.1
2.4
N/A
2010
103
77
0.37
0.05
20.4
3.2
25.4
29.4
N/A
N/A
22.2
N/A
12.9
8.8
1.4
N/A
2009
106
76
0.29
0.05
20.0
2.6
22.4
29.7
0.025
N/A
20.1
N/A
12.9
9.0
1.4
N/A
2008
108
81
0.32
0.12
22.8
3.2
22.8
30.7
0.026
N/A
22.7
N/A
12.5
9.7
1.8
N/A
2007
125
82
0.34
0.12
23.6
3.1
23.9
27.1
0.027
N/A
25.9
N/A
13.1
9.8
2.2
N/A
2006
95
89
0.31
0.14
23.0
3.8
21.1
31.3
0.029
N/A
22.0
N/A
N/A
10.0
2.6
0.2
2005
110
92
0.55
0.15
23.5
4.4
23.3
29.0
0.027
N/A
26.2
N/A
N/A
10.7
3.3
0.2
2004
85
74
0.83
0.16
23.9
3.3
20.3
26.8
0.032
N/A
23.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.1
N/A
2003
99
85
0.69
0.26
25.1
4.2
20.0
28.9
0.030
N/A
23.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.1
0.1
2002
114
83
0.83
0.33
26.5
3.9
20.8
27.2
0.029
N/A
24.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.3
N/A
2001
107
83
0.83
0.31
27.3
4.2
19.2
25.5
0.031
N/A
28.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.3
N/A
2000
104
86
0.88
0.28
24.8
4.7
17.6
27.8
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.2
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Chicago
Austin
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
145.8%
137.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
136.9%
80.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
20%
29%
Transportation
Chicago has a robust public transportation system which includes buses and the "L" train. Austin's public transportation system is smaller but growing, and it’s a car-centric city overall, although efforts to expand alternatives are ongoing.
Transport
Type
Chicago
Austin
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
1
911
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
12
21
Means of transportation to work
Type
Chicago
Austin
Bicycle
1.6%
0.8%
Bus
8%
1.5%
Carpooled
8.3%
7.9%
Car alone
62.3%
85.9%
Motorcycle
0%
0.3%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Streetcar
6.8%
0%
Subway
3.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.8%
0.1%
Walked
5.9%
2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Chicago
Austin
Average
36.9 min
29.9 min
Other means
33.1 min
22.7 min
Public transportation
44.8 min
37.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Chicago
Austin
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
86.7%
91.2%
In 2 person carpool
9.3%
6.3%
In 3 person carpool
2.4%
1.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.9%
0.6%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.4%
0.1%
In 7+ person carpool
0.3%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in Austin typically has lower prices than in Chicago. However, rising demand has led to an increase in Austin's housing prices. Meanwhile, although Chicago offers a broad range of housing prices, some areas can be quite expensive.
Neighborhoods
Both Austin and Chicago feature diverse neighborhoods to fit differing lifestyles. In Chicago, the Magnificent Mile is known for its shopping, while Hyde Park hosts cultural centers. In Austin, neighborhoods like Downtown Austin are bustling, while East Austin is known for its artistic scene.
Houses and residents
Type
Chicago
Austin
Houses
1,272,191
469,156
Average household size (people)
2.5
2.4
Median year apartment built
1955
1997
Median year house/condo built
1951
1988
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.7 years
12.1 years
Houses occupied
1,139,537 (89.6%)
449,399 (95.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
530,977 (46.6%)
196,458 (43.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
608,560 (53.4%)
252,941 (56.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,546
$1,286
Median monthly housing costs
$1,356
$1,521
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$355,671
$549,769
Estimated median house or condo value
$297,300
$482,900
Median numbers of rooms
4.8
4.4
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
3.4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.8
6
Median house price - detached houses
$357,707
$595,996
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$345,352
$393,984
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$477,161
$262,826
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$439,589
$576,111
Median house price - mobile homes
$472,017
$56,102
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$518,665
$459,657
Median house price - All housing units
$388,874
$571,154
Median house age
70
28
Renting percentage
55.1%
54.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
5,601.1
1,865.3
House value disparities
35.6%
28.4%
Household income disparities
48.4%
44.8%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$110,175
$141,177
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$72,495
$86,430
Housing units without a mortgage
6,624 (1.9%)
1,799 (1.3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
17,661 (5.1%)
6,421 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
339,523 (98.1%)
132,628 (98.7%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
808 (0.2%)
206 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
25,416 (7.3%)
8,515 (6.3%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
12
9
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
2
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.5%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
1.8%
0.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Chicago
Austin
One, detached
26.4%
43.1%
One, attached
3.5%
5.2%
Two
13.3%
2.4%
3 or 4
14.0%
4.1%
5 to 9
11.0%
7.2%
10 to 19
4.6%
11.0%
20 to 49
6.5%
8.9%
50 or more
20.6%
17.2%
Mobile homes
0.2%
1.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
67,964
38,777
State government workers
41,316
46,229
Unpaid family workers
4,164
102
Industries and Occupations
Chicago is a hub for various industries––from finance and insurance to manufacturing and healthcare. Austin, on the other hand, is renowned for technology, with companies like Dell, IBM, and Amazon having significant operations there.
Both cities host world-class health facilities. Chicago has Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Austin boasts the Dell Seton Medical Center. Both are highly rated and offer comprehensive healthcare services.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Chicago
Austin
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Chicago's infrastructure is more complex, owing to its larger population and older city development. It has an extensive public transportation system and numerous highways. Austin, though smaller, has a well-maintained road system and an expanding public transport infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Chicago
Austin
Hospitals
86
65
TV stations
22
20
Arenas or stadiums
7
2
Bank branches located here
740
264
Bank institutions located here
99
43
Main business address for public companies
110
44
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
22
46
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Chicago
Austin
1999
7,501
4,733
2000
8,763
2,950
2001
7,090
2,038
2002
7,745
1,772
2003
10,485
2,213
2004
14,761
2,458
2005
24,041
3,121
2006
29,365
3,367
2007
17,767
2,560
2008
8,601
1,747
2009
3,506
1,067
Culture and Food
Both cities have rich food and culture scenes. Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, as well as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Art Institute. Austin is famed for its barbecue and Mexican food, as well as being the "Live Music Capital of the World" with a bustling nightlife.
Sports Teams
Chicago is a sports city with major teams like the Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), and Chicago Cubs (MLB). Meanwhile, Austin has fewer professional teams but is home to the UT Austin teams, which have a die-hard fan base.
Chicago, IL
Austin, TX
Chicago, IL and 
Austin, TX : 974.0 miles
