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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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IndianapolisvsChicago

Moving from Indianapolis to Chicago will cost approximately $195,026 more on median home prices (59.1% higher). Monthly rent is $813 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 4.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
59.1% more
Rent
59.1% more
View IndianapolisView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Indianapolis, IN

Median Home Price$330,248
Monthly Rent$1,376
Median Income$70,348
Population848,423
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+59.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+59.1%
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.

Indianapolis

2015$791
2020$1,001
2025$1,376

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.

Indianapolis

Housing$7,520
Food$5,294
Transport$12,924
Healthcare$9,840
Total$41,212

Chicago

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

Key Insights

59.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$813
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
4.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Indianapolis

Population848,423
Median Age34.1 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

Indianapolis

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 Indianapolis?

Indianapolis is 59.1% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Indianapolis is $330,248 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Indianapolis and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Indianapolis averages $1,376. That's a difference of $813 per month, or $9,751 annually.

How do incomes compare between Indianapolis and Chicago?

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

Which city is safer: Indianapolis or Chicago?

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