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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: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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ColumbiavsChicago

Moving from Columbia to Chicago will cost approximately $216,831 more on median home prices (70.3% higher). Monthly rent is $903 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 18.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
70.3% more
Rent
70.3% more
View ColumbiaView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price$308,443
Monthly Rent$1,285
Median Income$61,570
Population119,098
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+70.3%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+70.3%
Median Income
$73,194+18.9%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Columbia

2015$767
2020$847
2025$1,285

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.

Columbia

Housing$6,699
Food$5,494
Transport$12,960
Healthcare$12,042
Total$40,122

Chicago

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

Key Insights

70.3%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$903
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
18.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbia

Population119,098
Median Age26.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate524 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2347 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbia

524
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2347
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 Columbia?

Columbia is 70.3% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Columbia is $308,443 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Columbia and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Columbia averages $1,285. That's a difference of $903 per month, or $10,842 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbia and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 18.9% higher than Columbia's median of $61,570.

Which city is safer: Columbia or Chicago?

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 524 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.