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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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Ann ArborvsChicago

Moving from Ann Arbor to Chicago will save you approximately $34,099 on median home prices (6.1% less). Monthly rent is $142 cheaper in Chicago. Median income is 10.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
6.1% cheaper
Rent
6.1% cheaper
View Ann ArborView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price$559,373
Monthly Rent$2,331
Median Income$66,017
Population117,070
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-6.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-6.1%
Median Income
$73,194+10.9%
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.

Ann Arbor

2015$1,523
2020$1,776
2025$2,331

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.

Ann Arbor

Housing$7,727
Food$5,723
Transport$12,962
Healthcare$9,038
Total$52,669

Chicago

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

Key Insights

6.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$142
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
10.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Ann Arbor

Population117,070
Median Age28.1 yrs
Violent Crime Rate491 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1367 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Ann Arbor

491
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1367
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 Ann Arbor?

Chicago is 6.1% cheaper for housing than Ann Arbor. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $559,373 in Ann Arbor, a savings of $34,099.

What is the rent difference between Ann Arbor and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Ann Arbor averages $2,331. That's a savings of $142 per month, or $1,705 annually.

How do incomes compare between Ann Arbor and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 10.9% higher than Ann Arbor's median of $66,017.

Which city is safer: Ann Arbor or Chicago?

Ann Arbor has a violent crime rate of 491 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Chicago 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.