Chicago, IL vs Plano, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Chicago
70.9
#1043 nationally
Plano
72.6
#865 nationally
Chicago leads in walk score (77 vs 39). Plano leads in median household income ($99,936 vs $71,673). Plano leads in average commute (27.6 min vs 34.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.9 (#1043) | 72.6 (#865) |
| Population | 2,664,452 | 287,339 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $337,993 | $499,723 |
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $99,936 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 77 | 39 |
| Crime Level | 14.8 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | R+11.2 |
C-
70.9 Score
Chicago, IL
Major Illinois city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$337,993
Population
2,664,452
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
77
Midwest
View Chicago, IL →
C-
72.6 Score
Plano, TX
Corporate opportunity meets family-friendly living
Median Home
$499,723
Population
287,339
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Southwest
View Plano, TX →