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

Last updated: Feb 2026

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CaryvsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Cary to Chicago will cost approximately $115,245 more on median home prices (28.1% higher). Monthly rent is $480 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 16.7% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
28.1% more
Rent
28.1% more
View CaryView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Cary, NC

Median Home Price$410,029
Monthly Rent$1,708
Median Income$62,694
Population160,514
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+28.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+28.1%
Median Income
$73,194+16.7%
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.

Cary

2015$1,183
2020$1,331
2025$1,708

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.

Cary

Housing$7,889
Food$5,737
Transport$12,986
Healthcare$11,172
Total$45,201

Chicago

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

Key Insights

28.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$480
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
16.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Cary

Population160,514
Median Age39.9 yrs
Violent Crime Rate420 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2087 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Cary

420
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2087
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 Cary?

Cary is 28.1% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Cary is $410,029 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Cary and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Cary averages $1,708. That's a difference of $480 per month, or $5,762 annually.

How do incomes compare between Cary and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 16.7% higher than Cary's median of $62,694.

Which city is safer: Cary or Chicago?

Cary has a violent crime rate of 420 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.

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