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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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MontgomeryvsChicago

Moving from Montgomery to Chicago will cost approximately $217,237 more on median home prices (70.5% higher). Monthly rent is $905 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 26.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
70.5% more
Rent
70.5% more
View MontgomeryView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price$308,037
Monthly Rent$1,283
Median Income$58,100
Population200,586
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+70.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+70.5%
Median Income
$73,194+26.0%
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.

Montgomery

2015$828
2020$939
2025$1,283

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.

Montgomery

Housing$6,925
Food$6,005
Transport$12,911
Healthcare$11,383
Total$40,102

Chicago

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

Key Insights

70.5%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$905
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
26.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Montgomery

Population200,586
Median Age35.4 yrs
Violent Crime Rate348 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1471 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Montgomery

348
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1471
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 Montgomery?

Montgomery is 70.5% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Montgomery is $308,037 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Montgomery and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Montgomery averages $1,283. That's a difference of $905 per month, or $10,862 annually.

How do incomes compare between Montgomery and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 26.0% higher than Montgomery's median of $58,100.

Which city is safer: Montgomery or Chicago?

Montgomery has a violent crime rate of 348 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.