Cost of Living Comparison
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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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Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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HoustonvsChicago

Moving from Houston to Chicago will cost approximately $150,119 more on median home prices (40.0% higher). Monthly rent is $625 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 10.8% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
40.0% more
Rent
40.0% more
View HoustonView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Houston, TX

Median Home Price$375,155
Monthly Rent$1,563
Median Income$66,050
Population2,298,628
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+40.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+40.0%
Median Income
$73,194+10.8%
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.

Houston

2015$1,208
2020$1,301
2025$1,563

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.

Houston

Housing$8,287
Food$5,434
Transport$13,321
Healthcare$10,777
Total$43,458

Chicago

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

Key Insights

40.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$625
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
10.8%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Houston

Population2,298,628
Median Age32.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate453 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2172 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Houston

453
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2172
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 Houston?

Houston is 40.0% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Houston is $375,155 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Houston and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Houston averages $1,563. That's a difference of $625 per month, or $7,506 annually.

How do incomes compare between Houston and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 10.8% higher than Houston's median of $66,050.

Which city is safer: Houston or Chicago?

Houston has a violent crime rate of 453 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.