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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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DurhamvsChicago

Moving from Durham to Chicago will cost approximately $131,909 more on median home prices (33.5% higher). Monthly rent is $550 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 16.7% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
33.5% more
Rent
33.5% more
View DurhamView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Durham, NC

Median Home Price$393,365
Monthly Rent$1,639
Median Income$62,694
Population257,598
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+33.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+33.5%
Median Income
$73,194+16.7%
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.

Durham

2015$1,052
2020$1,271
2025$1,639

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.

Durham

Housing$7,889
Food$5,737
Transport$12,986
Healthcare$11,172
Total$44,368

Chicago

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

Key Insights

33.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$550
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
16.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Durham

Population257,598
Median Age33.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate420 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2087 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Durham

420
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2087
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 Durham?

Durham is 33.5% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Durham is $393,365 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Durham and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Durham averages $1,639. That's a difference of $550 per month, or $6,595 annually.

How do incomes compare between Durham and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 16.7% higher than Durham's median of $62,694.

Which city is safer: Durham or Chicago?

Durham has a violent crime rate of 420 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.