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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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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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BirminghamvsChicago

Moving from Birmingham to Chicago will cost approximately $216,227 more on median home prices (70.0% higher). Monthly rent is $901 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 26.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
70.0% more
Rent
70.0% more
View BirminghamView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Birmingham, AL

Median Home Price$309,047
Monthly Rent$1,288
Median Income$58,100
Population214,911
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+70.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+70.0%
Median Income
$73,194+26.0%
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.

Birmingham

2015$840
2020$1,021
2025$1,288

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.

Birmingham

Housing$6,925
Food$6,005
Transport$12,911
Healthcare$11,383
Total$40,152

Chicago

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

Key Insights

70.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$901
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
26.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Birmingham

Population214,911
Median Age35.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate348 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1471 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Birmingham

348
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1471
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 Birmingham?

Birmingham is 70.0% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Birmingham is $309,047 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Birmingham and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Birmingham averages $1,288. That's a difference of $901 per month, or $10,811 annually.

How do incomes compare between Birmingham and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 26.0% higher than Birmingham's median of $58,100.

Which city is safer: Birmingham or Chicago?

Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 348 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.