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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

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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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ChicagovsDenver

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Chicago to Denver will save you approximately $75,986 on median home prices (14.5% less). Monthly rent is $317 cheaper in Denver. Median income is 2.7% higher in Denver, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
14.5% cheaper
Rent
14.5% cheaper
View ChicagoView Denver
Denver

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

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$449,288-14.5%
Monthly Rent
$1,872-14.5%
Median Income
$75,159+2.7%
Population682,545
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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

Denver

2015$1,399
2020$1,572
2025$1,872

Annual Cost of Living

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

Chicago

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

Denver

Housing$10,317
Food$6,492
Transport$14,105
Healthcare$8,325
Total$47,164
Costs

Key Insights

14.5%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Denver
$317
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
2.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Chicago

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

Denver

Population682,545
Median Age34.1 yrs
Violent Crime Rate480 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3147 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Chicago

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

Denver

480
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3147
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Chicago?

Denver is 14.5% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Denver is $449,288 compared to $525,274 in Chicago, a savings of $75,986.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Denver?

Monthly rent in Denver averages $1,872, while Chicago averages $2,189. That's a savings of $317 per month, or $3,799 annually.

How do incomes compare between Chicago and Denver?

The median household income in Denver is $75,159, which is 2.7% higher than Chicago's median of $73,194.

Which city is safer: Chicago or Denver?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100k residents, while Denver has 480 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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