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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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DetroitvsChicago

Moving from Detroit to Chicago will cost approximately $210,442 more on median home prices (66.8% higher). Monthly rent is $877 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 10.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
66.8% more
Rent
66.8% more
View DetroitView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price$314,832
Monthly Rent$1,312
Median Income$66,017
Population677,124
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+66.8%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+66.8%
Median Income
$73,194+10.9%
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.

Detroit

2015$715
2020$959
2025$1,312

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.

Detroit

Housing$7,727
Food$5,723
Transport$12,962
Healthcare$9,038
Total$40,442

Chicago

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

Key Insights

66.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$877
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
10.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Detroit

Population677,124
Median Age34.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate491 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1367 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Detroit

491
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1367
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 Detroit?

Detroit is 66.8% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Detroit is $314,832 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Detroit and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Detroit averages $1,312. That's a difference of $877 per month, or $10,522 annually.

How do incomes compare between Detroit and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 10.9% higher than Detroit's median of $66,017.

Which city is safer: Detroit or Chicago?

Detroit has a violent crime rate of 491 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.