Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
72
Overall Score /100
Wins 3 of 7 categories
Lexington-Fayette urban county wins 3–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Lexington-Fayette urban county wins 0–3 overall (72/100)
💰 Lexington-Fayette urban county is more affordable
💼 Lexington-Fayette urban county has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county — The Verdict

Lexington-Fayette urban county scores 72.2/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 3 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Lexington-Fayette urban county has a clear edge with home prices 19% lower. Lexington-Fayette urban county may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Lexington-Fayette urban county are 19% lower — a difference of $56,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Lexington-Fayette urban county saves you $249/month — that's $2,988 per year.
💵
Households in Chicago earn $5,586 more per year (8% higher median income).
💰 Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
90
Median Home Value
$304,500
$247,900
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,065
Median Income
$71,673
$66,087
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Lexington-Fayette urban county edges out Chicago on housing costs by 19%, a difference of $56,600. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
💼 Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4.5%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
60
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Lexington-Fayette urban county: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
12
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Lexington-Fayette urban county: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Lexington-Fayette urban county cheaper to live in?
Lexington-Fayette urban county is more affordable overall. Home prices are $56,600 lower in Lexington-Fayette urban county. Monthly rent is $1,065 in Lexington-Fayette urban county vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Lexington-Fayette urban county have better weather?
Lexington-Fayette urban county scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Lexington-Fayette urban county better for finding a job?
Lexington-Fayette urban county currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 4.5% in Lexington-Fayette urban county. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $66,087 in Lexington-Fayette urban county.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Lexington-Fayette urban county?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 12 in Lexington-Fayette urban county. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Lexington-Fayette urban county.
Should I move from Chicago to Lexington-Fayette urban county?
Based on our data, Lexington-Fayette urban county scores 72.2/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Lexington-Fayette urban county is more affordable, while Lexington-Fayette urban county has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.