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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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Fort WaynevsChicago

Moving from Fort Wayne to Chicago will cost approximately $239,000 more on median home prices (83.5% higher). Monthly rent is $996 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 4.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
83.5% more
Rent
83.5% more
View Fort WayneView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Fort Wayne, IN

Median Home Price$286,274
Monthly Rent$1,193
Median Income$70,348
Population258,144
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+83.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+83.5%
Median Income
$73,194+4.0%
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.

Fort Wayne

2015$693
2020$855
2025$1,193

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.

Fort Wayne

Housing$7,520
Food$5,294
Transport$12,924
Healthcare$9,840
Total$39,014

Chicago

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

Key Insights

83.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$996
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
4.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Fort Wayne

Population258,144
Median Age34.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate333 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1553 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Fort Wayne

333
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1553
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 Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne is 83.5% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Fort Wayne is $286,274 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Fort Wayne and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Fort Wayne averages $1,193. That's a difference of $996 per month, or $11,950 annually.

How do incomes compare between Fort Wayne and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 4.0% higher than Fort Wayne's median of $70,348.

Which city is safer: Fort Wayne or Chicago?

Fort Wayne has a violent crime rate of 333 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Fort Wayne 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.