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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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MeridianvsChicago

Moving from Meridian to Chicago will cost approximately $41,619 more on median home prices (8.6% higher). Monthly rent is $173 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 15.3% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
8.6% more
Rent
8.6% more
View MeridianView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Meridian, ID

Median Home Price$483,655
Monthly Rent$2,015
Median Income$63,504
Population90,753
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+8.6%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+8.6%
Median Income
$73,194+15.3%
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.

Meridian

2015$1,090
2020$1,608
2025$2,015

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.

Meridian

Housing$7,535
Food$6,181
Transport$13,938
Healthcare$10,000
Total$48,883

Chicago

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

Key Insights

8.6%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$173
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
15.3%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Meridian

Population90,753
Median Age38.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate241 per 100k
Property Crime Rate965 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Meridian

241
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
965
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 Meridian?

Meridian is 8.6% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Meridian is $483,655 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Meridian and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Meridian averages $2,015. That's a difference of $173 per month, or $2,081 annually.

How do incomes compare between Meridian and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 15.3% higher than Meridian's median of $63,504.

Which city is safer: Meridian or Chicago?

Meridian has a violent crime rate of 241 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Meridian 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.