Detroit-Warren-Dearborn and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
Opportunity
40 · Bottom 20%
vs44 · Bottom 26%
Growth
27 · Bottom 16%
vs22 · Bottom 9%
Climate
61 · Bottom 28%
vs63 · Bottom 36%
Physical resilience
86 · Top 10%
vs75 · Top 26%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 37%
vs92 · Top 47%
Access
82 · Bottom 48%
vs93 · Top 30%
Economic stability
62 · Top 45%
vs82 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,376,828 | 9,371,595 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $76,664 | $90,887 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,384 | $49,513 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,124/sq mi | 1,354/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $249,700 | $323,000 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,207 | $1,430 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.2% | 65.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.8% | -2.6% | July 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.8% | 41.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.6% | 11.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 8,283 | 14,539 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.9 | 1.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -5.6% | -20.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 17°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 34.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 15 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.0 min | 32.8 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.3 | 38.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
65
Your Score
63
Area Score
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
67
Your Score
63
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metro Area · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology