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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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AlexandriavsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Alexandria to Chicago will save you approximately $25,643 on median home prices (4.7% less). Monthly rent is $107 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 4.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
4.7% cheaper
Rent
4.7% cheaper
View AlexandriaView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Alexandria, VA

Median Home Price$550,917
Monthly Rent$2,295
Median Income$76,830
Population153,511
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-4.7%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-4.7%
Median Income
$73,194-4.7%
Population2,720,556
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

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

Alexandria

2015$1,690
2020$1,804
2025$2,295

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.

Alexandria

Housing$9,841
Food$6,038
Transport$13,096
Healthcare$10,514
Total$52,246

Chicago

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

Key Insights

4.7%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$107
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
4.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Alexandria

Population153,511
Median Age36.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate226 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1449 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Alexandria

226
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1449
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 Alexandria?

Chicago is 4.7% cheaper for housing than Alexandria. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $550,917 in Alexandria, a savings of $25,643.

What is the rent difference between Alexandria and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Alexandria averages $2,295. That's a savings of $107 per month, or $1,282 annually.

How do incomes compare between Alexandria and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 4.7% lower than Alexandria's median of $76,830.

Which city is safer: Alexandria or Chicago?

Alexandria has a violent crime rate of 226 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Alexandria 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.

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