Chicago logs 92 frost days a year to Raleigh's 39 — Raleigh wins by 53. Chicago also leads on hot days by 62.

Chicago runs about $3,665/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Raleigh's $3,382/mo — Raleigh comes in $283 cheaper each month, roughly 8% less.

On mobility, Chicago scores 3.4 vs Raleigh's 2.4 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on walkability. Raleigh still holds an edge on airport accessibility.

Chicago's culture score of 4.4 sits well above Raleigh's 3.1, with the biggest gap on arts & culture.

Raleigh's nature & outdoors score of 3.8 sits well above Chicago's 3.5, with the biggest gap on forest access. Chicago still holds an edge on lakes & rivers.

Raleigh's safety score is ~1.2× Chicago's — in the middle of the scale, while Chicago lands in the middle of the scale, with the biggest gap on walking safety. Chicago still holds an edge on wildfire safety.

Chicago's career score of 4.7 sits well above Raleigh's 3.7, with the biggest gap on economic scale.

Chicago's social & community score is ~1.2× Raleigh's — in the upper band, while Raleigh lands in the middle of the scale, with the biggest gap on multicultural mix.

On food & dining, Chicago scores 4.6 vs Raleigh's 2.8 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on restaurant variety.

On family, Chicago scores 4.0 vs Raleigh's 2.7 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools.

On healthcare, Chicago scores 2.8 vs Raleigh's 2.1 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on private healthcare quality.

Chicago averages 8.5 µg/m³ (good) PM2.5 annually versus Raleigh's 7.7 µg/m³ (good) — Raleigh breathes ~9% cleaner air (0.8 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here