City Comparison
Chicago vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Orland Park is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Chicago.
| Metric | Chicago | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,950 | +5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $420 | +7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $240 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,925 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chicago offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orland Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Chicago | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Chicago comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 45.3x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Orland Park is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chicago | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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