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

OaklandvsChicago

Moving from Oakland to Chicago will save you approximately $71,301 on median home prices (12.0% less). Monthly rent is $297 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
12.0% cheaper
Rent
12.0% cheaper
View OaklandView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Oakland, CA

Median Home Price$596,575
Monthly Rent$2,486
Median Income$82,922
Population419,278
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-12.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-12.0%
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.

Oakland

2015$2,012
2020$2,318
2025$2,486

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.

Oakland

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$54,529

Chicago

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

Key Insights

12.0%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$297
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Oakland

Population419,278
Median Age35.7 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

Oakland

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)

Ready to explore more?

Compare other cities or explore detailed information about each location.

Explore OaklandExplore 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 Oakland?

Chicago is 12.0% cheaper for housing than Oakland. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $596,575 in Oakland, a savings of $71,301.

What is the rent difference between Oakland and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Oakland averages $2,486. That's a savings of $297 per month, or $3,565 annually.

How do incomes compare between Oakland and Chicago?

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

Which city is safer: Oakland or Chicago?

Oakland 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.