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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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ColumbusvsChicago

Moving from Columbus to Chicago will cost approximately $166,587 more on median home prices (46.4% higher). Monthly rent is $694 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 3.2% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
46.4% more
Rent
46.4% more
View ColumbusView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price$358,687
Monthly Rent$1,495
Median Income$70,904
Population849,067
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+46.4%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+46.4%
Median Income
$73,194+3.2%
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.

Columbus

2015$895
2020$1,139
2025$1,495

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.

Columbus

Housing$7,576
Food$5,391
Transport$12,694
Healthcare$9,136
Total$42,634

Chicago

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

Key Insights

46.4%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$694
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
3.2%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Columbus

Population849,067
Median Age32.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate317 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1720 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Columbus

317
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1720
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 Columbus?

Columbus is 46.4% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Columbus is $358,687 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Columbus and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Columbus averages $1,495. That's a difference of $694 per month, or $8,329 annually.

How do incomes compare between Columbus and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 3.2% higher than Columbus's median of $70,904.

Which city is safer: Columbus or Chicago?

Columbus has a violent crime rate of 317 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Columbus 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.