City comparison
No. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,824 in Henderson.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Chicago and Henderson. Chicago averages 53°F while Henderson averages 74°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,440 versus $1,824.
Henderson 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 Henderson 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 Henderson are 1,515 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,824 a month in Henderson, up $384 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $90,138 in Henderson, up $12,236 (16%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 85 in Henderson, down 82 points (49%).
The move
Henderson and Chicago are 1,515 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $384 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $77,902 in Chicago, down $12,236 (14%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 167 in Chicago, up 82 points (96%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Henderson, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Chicago rent is 21% cheaper than Henderson
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Henderson
$1,824/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,824 in Henderson, so Chicago is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $384/month back in your pocket ($4,608/year). Over five years that's $23,040 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 Henderson, 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 Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Henderson's median income is 16% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Henderson
Winner$90,138
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Henderson (about $12,236 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, Henderson 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
49% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 49% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% lower in Henderson. 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, Henderson 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
Henderson weather is 52% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Henderson
Winner74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Henderson averages about 74°F (82°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Henderson sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Henderson 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 21% 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 16% higher ($90,138), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 49% lower than Chicago (85 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 Henderson: Henderson scores 65/100 versus 44/100 in Chicago, with typical rent at $1,824 versus $1,440. I would vet the exact ZIP in Chicago before trading 21 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (65/100 in Henderson vs 44/100 in Chicago), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,440 in Chicago and $1,824 in Henderson.
Henderson clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Chicago deserves a serious look only when you already know the Chicago block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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