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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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Des MoinesvsChicago

Moving from Des Moines to Chicago will cost approximately $257,040 more on median home prices (95.8% higher). Monthly rent is $1,071 more expensive in Chicago. Note that median income is 1.8% lower in Chicago.

Housing
95.8% more
Rent
95.8% more
View Des MoinesView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Des Moines, IA

Median Home Price$268,234
Monthly Rent$1,118
Median Income$74,522
Population210,317
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+95.8%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+95.8%
Median Income
$73,194-1.8%
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.

Des Moines

2015$803
2020$931
2025$1,118

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.

Des Moines

Housing$7,029
Food$5,574
Transport$13,411
Healthcare$9,747
Total$38,112

Chicago

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

Key Insights

95.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$1,071
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
1.8%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Des Moines

Population210,317
Median Age34.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate295 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1508 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Des Moines

295
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1508
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 Des Moines?

Des Moines is 95.8% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Des Moines is $268,234 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Des Moines and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Des Moines averages $1,118. That's a difference of $1,071 per month, or $12,852 annually.

How do incomes compare between Des Moines and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 1.8% lower than Des Moines's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Des Moines or Chicago?

Des Moines has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Des Moines 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.