City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Chicago and Frisco is significant: $77,902 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $2,014 in Frisco.
Frisco is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Chicago makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Frisco is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Frisco are 783 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $574 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $150,212 in Frisco, up $72,310 (93%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 43 in Frisco, down 124 points (74%).
The move
Frisco and Chicago are 783 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $574 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $77,902 in Chicago, down $72,310 (48%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 167 in Chicago, up 124 points (288%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Chicago rent is 29% cheaper than Frisco
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Chicago is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $574/month back in your pocket ($6,888/year). Over five years that's $34,440 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Frisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
93% higher
Frisco's median income is 93% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 93% higher in Frisco (about $72,310 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Frisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
74% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 74% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% lower in Frisco. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Frisco is the easier city. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Frisco weather is 52% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Frisco
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Frisco sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 93% higher ($150,212), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 74% lower than Chicago (43 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Frisco: Frisco scores 86/100 versus 44/100 in Chicago, with typical rent at $2,014 versus $1,440. I would vet the exact ZIP in Chicago before trading 42 safety points for housing savings.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,440 in Chicago and $2,014 in Frisco.
If safety drives your move, Frisco is the stronger match (86/100 safety versus 44/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Chicago, treat $1,440/month rent and $77,902 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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