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

Last updated: Feb 2026

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ChicagovsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Chicago to Boston will cost approximately $253,155 more on median home prices (48.2% higher). Monthly rent is $1,055 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 37.4% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
48.2% more
Rent
48.2% more
View ChicagoView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price$525,274
Monthly Rent$2,189
Median Income$73,194
Population2,720,556
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+48.2%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+48.2%
Median Income
$100,532+37.4%
Population669,469
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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.

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Chicago

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

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

48.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$1,055
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
37.4%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Chicago

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

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Chicago?

Chicago is 48.2% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Chicago averages $2,189. That's a difference of $1,055 per month, or $12,658 annually.

How do incomes compare between Chicago and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 37.4% higher than Chicago's median of $73,194.

Which city is safer: Chicago or Boston?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Boston 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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