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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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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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Jersey CityvsChicago

Moving from Jersey City to Chicago will save you approximately $210,004 on median home prices (28.6% less). Monthly rent is $875 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 29.8% lower in Chicago.

Housing
28.6% cheaper
Rent
28.6% cheaper
View Jersey CityView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price$735,278
Monthly Rent$3,064
Median Income$104,246
Population264,277
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-28.6%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-28.6%
Median Income
$73,194-29.8%
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.

Jersey City

2015$1,958
2020$2,160
2025$3,064

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.

Jersey City

Housing$15,300
Food$6,780
Transport$11,843
Healthcare$9,345
Total$61,464

Chicago

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

Key Insights

28.6%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$875
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
29.8%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Jersey City

Population264,277
Median Age34.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate184 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1109 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Jersey City

184
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1109
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 Jersey City?

Chicago is 28.6% cheaper for housing than Jersey City. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $735,278 in Jersey City, a savings of $210,004.

What is the rent difference between Jersey City and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Jersey City averages $3,064. That's a savings of $875 per month, or $10,500 annually.

How do incomes compare between Jersey City and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 29.8% lower than Jersey City's median of $104,246.

Which city is safer: Jersey City or Chicago?

Jersey City has a violent crime rate of 184 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Jersey City 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.