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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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Population
2,714,017

Real Estate

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

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

    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

    1,333 reviews
    All Categories
    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.
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    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!
    This is an exciting city to live in with great opportunities for individuals willing to take risks! There are a lot of things for people to do here and its allows an individual to get the big city experience without the hefty price tag. The public transport system is also really efficient and one can live in the city very easily without a car, thus cutting back on more monthly expenses. One thing that the city could really use is a good youth program. There are a lot of underprivileged kids who have a lot of potential if they are given the right guidance and allowed the same opportunities as the other kids.