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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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MemphisvsChicago

Moving from Memphis to Chicago will cost approximately $225,874 more on median home prices (75.4% higher). Monthly rent is $941 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 22.6% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
75.4% more
Rent
75.4% more
View MemphisView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price$299,400
Monthly Rent$1,247
Median Income$59,716
Population655,760
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+75.4%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+75.4%
Median Income
$73,194+22.6%
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.

Memphis

2015$763
2020$962
2025$1,247

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.

Memphis

Housing$7,245
Food$5,952
Transport$13,126
Healthcare$10,093
Total$39,670

Chicago

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

Key Insights

75.4%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$941
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
22.6%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Memphis

Population655,760
Median Age34.1 yrs
Violent Crime Rate672 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2256 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Memphis

672
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2256
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 Memphis?

Memphis is 75.4% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Memphis is $299,400 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Memphis and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Memphis averages $1,247. That's a difference of $941 per month, or $11,294 annually.

How do incomes compare between Memphis and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 22.6% higher than Memphis's median of $59,716.

Which city is safer: Memphis or Chicago?

Memphis has a violent crime rate of 672 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.