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City

Chicago

#22 in Best Cities for Millennials in America
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • City in Illinois
  • 1,468 reviews
A-
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Public Schools
    C+
  2. Crime & Safety
    C-
  3. Housing
    C-
  4. Nightlife
    A+
  5. Good for Families
    B+
  6. Diversity
    A+
  7. Jobs
    C+
  8. Weather
    C+
  9. Cost of Living
    C+
  10. Health & Fitness
    A
  11. Outdoor Activities
    A-
  12. Commute
    A-
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About Chicago...
Population
2,714,017

Real Estate

Median Home Value
$225,200
National
$184,700
Median Rent
$987
National
$949
Area Feel
Urban
Rent vs. Own
  • Rent
    56%
  • Own
    44%
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Chicago Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Chicago Neighborhood Map

  • Public Schools
  • Private Schools
  • Colleges

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    C-
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      580
      283
    • Murder
      28
      6
    • Rape
      52
      41
    • Robbery
      439
      136
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      523
      500
    • Theft
      2,247
      2,043
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      421
      284
    Home Security Options for Chicago
    Learn More
    • 24/7 Whole home protection with no contract
    • CNET Editor’s choice winner 2018

    Residents

    Diversity
    A+
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Median Household Income
    $50,434
    National
    $55,322
    Children
    18%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      15%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      22%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      24%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      23%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      17%
      13%

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    Chicago Reviews

    1,468 reviews
    All Categories
    Overall Chicago is a beautiful city filled with landmarks, hospitals and phenomenal skyscrapers! The variety of things to do is endless. Chicago’s forecast usually consist of high winds and breezy summer nights.
    Thinking of raising your family in a big city what better place than Chicago!
    Several hospitals to choose from less than 10 miles apart! Medical facilities you wouldn’t believe and some of the best doctors in the world. Health care is always a priority and necessity in today’s society.
    Transportation for residents and visitors is always a plus, nobody ever wants to wait. Life is on demand now days!
    Within city limits there’s all kinds of alternate transportation being offered; I.e. bus service, train, and even share riding! You can’t beat it!
    The only thing I object to with the city of Chicago is the cost of living! At times housing and everyday living is way to expensive and unnecessary! Lately the city has been coming up with ridiculous tax hikes!
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    I absolutely love living here! I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. The city is easy to maneuver, has incredibly comprehensive public transportation, and diverse neighborhoods for whatever kind of person you may be. For a major metropolitan area, rent is relatively low as well. Yes, the weather can get quite cold, but it's well worth it to be in a place where something is always happening!

    There is also a lot of opportunity for people looking for work, especially recent grads. A lot of start ups are here, which gives a lot of opportunity to find work in a large range of industries. There are a lot of places to look for work, whether you're looking for something full time or temporary.

    Summers in Chicago are also a blast! People are so excited for the nice weather that there are a ton of street festivals and outdoor events. The beaches are also quite nice and there are several, whether you're headed to the energetic Oak St. Beach or the more relaxed Montrose Beach.
    Chicago has a vibrance unlike any other city. Each neighborhood has a distinct feel, and it's really a true melting pot of culture. It's also unfortunately a hotbed for political and financial corruption, and the citizens definitely suffer for the sins of leadership. High and frequent taxes, no rent control, and other costs associated with urban living make Chicago expensive, especially compared against the rest of the Midwest. And the winter is painful and around eight months long. If you can handle the cold and the cost, however, it's an amazing city to grow in and be a part of. No regrets moving here!