Cost of Living Comparison
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet Help
Compare Cities
HomeCitiesAffordableBest CitiesGet HelpCompare Cities
Get Assistance
Estates Logo

The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

Explore

  • Browse Cities
  • Affordable Cities
  • Best Cities
  • Compare Cities

Data

  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

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

© 2025 Estates. All rights reserved.

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSitemap

Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Compare

MadisonvsChicago

Moving from Madison to Chicago will cost approximately $74,201 more on median home prices (16.4% higher). Monthly rent is $309 more expensive in Chicago. Note that median income is 1.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
16.4% more
Rent
16.4% more
View MadisonView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Madison, WI

Median Home Price$451,073
Monthly Rent$1,879
Median Income$74,496
Population248,956
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+16.4%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+16.4%
Median Income
$73,194-1.7%
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.

Madison

2015$1,201
2020$1,367
2025$1,879

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.

Madison

Housing$7,591
Food$5,753
Transport$13,123
Healthcare$10,569
Total$47,254

Chicago

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

Key Insights

16.4%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$309
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
1.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Madison

Population248,956
Median Age30.7 yrs
Violent Crime Rate325 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1538 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Madison

325
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1538
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore MadisonExplore Chicago

Need Help Settling In?

Moving to a new city can be overwhelming. Our relocation experts are here to help you find the perfect neighborhood, schools, and local services.

No commitment • Response within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Madison?

Madison is 16.4% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Madison is $451,073 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Madison and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Madison averages $1,879. That's a difference of $309 per month, or $3,710 annually.

How do incomes compare between Madison and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 1.7% lower than Madison's median of $74,496.

Which city is safer: Madison or Chicago?

Madison has a violent crime rate of 325 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Madison 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.