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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Los AngelesvsChicago

Moving from Los Angeles to Chicago will save you approximately $148,042 on median home prices (22.0% less). Monthly rent is $617 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
22.0% cheaper
Rent
22.0% cheaper
View Los AngelesView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price$673,316
Monthly Rent$2,805
Median Income$82,922
Population3,971,896
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-22.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-22.0%
Median Income
$73,194-11.7%
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.

Los Angeles

2015$1,914
2020$2,259
2025$2,805

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.

Los Angeles

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$58,366

Chicago

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

Key Insights

22.0%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$617
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Los Angeles

Population3,971,896
Median Age35.0 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

Los Angeles

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 Los Angeles?

Chicago is 22.0% cheaper for housing than Los Angeles. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $673,316 in Los Angeles, a savings of $148,042.

What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Los Angeles averages $2,805. That's a savings of $617 per month, or $7,402 annually.

How do incomes compare between Los Angeles and Chicago?

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

Which city is safer: Los Angeles or Chicago?

Los Angeles 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.