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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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CarmelvsChicago

Moving from Carmel to Chicago will cost approximately $86,642 more on median home prices (19.8% higher). Monthly rent is $361 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 4.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
19.8% more
Rent
19.8% more
View CarmelView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Carmel, IN

Median Home Price$438,632
Monthly Rent$1,828
Median Income$70,348
Population89,029
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+19.8%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+19.8%
Median Income
$73,194+4.0%
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.

Carmel

2015N/A
2020$1,364
2025$1,828

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.

Carmel

Housing$7,520
Food$5,294
Transport$12,924
Healthcare$9,840
Total$46,632

Chicago

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

Key Insights

19.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$361
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
4.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Carmel

Population89,029
Median Age39.9 yrs
Violent Crime Rate333 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1553 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Carmel

333
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1553
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 Carmel?

Carmel is 19.8% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Carmel is $438,632 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Carmel and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Carmel averages $1,828. That's a difference of $361 per month, or $4,332 annually.

How do incomes compare between Carmel and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 4.0% higher than Carmel's median of $70,348.

Which city is safer: Carmel or Chicago?

Carmel has a violent crime rate of 333 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Carmel 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.