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

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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IrvinevsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Irvine to Chicago will save you approximately $339,322 on median home prices (39.2% less). Monthly rent is $1,414 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
39.2% cheaper
Rent
39.2% cheaper
View IrvineView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Irvine, CA

Median Home Price$864,596
Monthly Rent$3,602
Median Income$82,922
Population256,927
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-39.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-39.2%
Median Income
$73,194-11.7%
Population2,720,556
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Irvine

2015$2,377
2020$2,575
2025$3,602

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.

Irvine

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$67,930

Chicago

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

Key Insights

39.2%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$1,414
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Irvine

Population256,927
Median Age34.6 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Irvine

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
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 Irvine?

Chicago is 39.2% cheaper for housing than Irvine. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $864,596 in Irvine, a savings of $339,322.

What is the rent difference between Irvine and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Irvine averages $3,602. That's a savings of $1,414 per month, or $16,966 annually.

How do incomes compare between Irvine and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 11.7% lower than Irvine's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Irvine or Chicago?

Irvine has a violent crime rate of 481 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.

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