Cost of Living Comparison
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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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Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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ChicagovsLos Angeles

Moving from Chicago to Los Angeles will cost approximately $148,042 more on median home prices (28.2% higher). Monthly rent is $617 more expensive in Los Angeles. Median income is 13.3% higher in Los Angeles, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
28.2% more
Rent
28.2% more
View ChicagoView Los Angeles
Los Angeles

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Chicago, IL

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

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$673,316+28.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,805+28.2%
Median Income
$82,922+13.3%
Population3,971,896
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

Los Angeles

2015$1,914
2020$2,259
2025$2,805

Annual Cost of Living

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

Chicago

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

Los Angeles

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$58,366
Costs

Key Insights

28.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Los Angeles
$617
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
13.3%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Chicago

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

Los Angeles

Population3,971,896
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Chicago

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

Los Angeles

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or Chicago?

Chicago is 28.2% cheaper for housing than Los Angeles. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $673,316 in Los Angeles.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Los Angeles?

Monthly rent in Los Angeles averages $2,805, while Chicago averages $2,189. That's a difference of $617 per month, or $7,402 annually.

How do incomes compare between Chicago and Los Angeles?

The median household income in Los Angeles is $82,922, which is 13.3% higher than Chicago's median of $73,194.

Which city is safer: Chicago or Los Angeles?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100k residents, while Los Angeles has 481 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.