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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

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • 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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ChicagovsPhoenix

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Chicago to Phoenix will save you approximately $143,058 on median home prices (27.2% less). Monthly rent is $596 cheaper in Phoenix. Note that median income is 18.5% lower in Phoenix.

Housing
27.2% cheaper
Rent
27.2% cheaper
View ChicagoView Phoenix
Phoenix

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

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$382,216-27.2%
Monthly Rent
$1,593-27.2%
Median Income
$59,662-18.5%
Population1,563,001
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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

Phoenix

2015$881
2020$1,252
2025$1,593

Annual Cost of Living

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

Chicago

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

Phoenix

Housing$9,175
Food$5,768
Transport$13,114
Healthcare$11,621
Total$43,811
Costs

Key Insights

27.2%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Phoenix
$596
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
18.5%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Chicago

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

Phoenix

Population1,563,001
Median Age33.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate426 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2115 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Chicago

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

Phoenix

426
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2115
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Chicago?

Phoenix is 27.2% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Phoenix is $382,216 compared to $525,274 in Chicago, a savings of $143,058.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Phoenix?

Monthly rent in Phoenix averages $1,593, while Chicago averages $2,189. That's a savings of $596 per month, or $7,153 annually.

How do incomes compare between Chicago and Phoenix?

The median household income in Phoenix is $59,662, which is 18.5% lower than Chicago's median of $73,194.

Which city is safer: Chicago or Phoenix?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100k residents, while Phoenix has 426 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.

Popular Comparisons

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