Cost of Living Comparison
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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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  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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AustinvsChicago

Moving from Austin to Chicago will cost approximately $148,653 more on median home prices (39.5% higher). Monthly rent is $619 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 10.8% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
39.5% more
Rent
39.5% more
View AustinView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Austin, TX

Median Home Price$376,621
Monthly Rent$1,569
Median Income$66,050
Population931,840
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+39.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+39.5%
Median Income
$73,194+10.8%
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.

Austin

2015$1,204
2020$1,353
2025$1,569

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.

Austin

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,531

Chicago

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

Key Insights

39.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$619
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
10.8%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Austin

Population931,840
Median Age32.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Austin

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
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 Austin?

Austin is 39.5% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Austin is $376,621 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Austin and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Austin averages $1,569. That's a difference of $619 per month, or $7,433 annually.

How do incomes compare between Austin and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 10.8% higher than Austin's median of $66,050.

Which city is safer: Austin or Chicago?

Austin has a violent crime rate of 453 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.