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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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AlbanyvsChicago

Moving from Albany to Chicago will cost approximately $149,959 more on median home prices (40.0% higher). Monthly rent is $625 more expensive in Chicago. Note that median income is 8.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
40.0% more
Rent
40.0% more
View AlbanyView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Albany, NY

Median Home Price$375,315
Monthly Rent$1,564
Median Income$80,175
Population98,452
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+40.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+40.0%
Median Income
$73,194-8.7%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Albany

2015$1,019
2020$1,218
2025$1,564

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Albany

Housing$10,874
Food$6,205
Transport$12,385
Healthcare$11,162
Total$43,466

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

40.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$625
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
8.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Albany

Population98,452
Median Age32.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate308 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1048 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Albany

308
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1048
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Albany?

Albany is 40.0% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Albany is $375,315 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Albany and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Albany averages $1,564. That's a difference of $625 per month, or $7,498 annually.

How do incomes compare between Albany and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 8.7% lower than Albany's median of $80,175.

Which city is safer: Albany or Chicago?

Albany has a violent crime rate of 308 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Albany is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.