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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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  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Palo AltovsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Palo Alto to Chicago will save you approximately $468,625 on median home prices (47.2% less). Monthly rent is $1,953 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
47.2% cheaper
Rent
47.2% cheaper
View Palo AltoView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Palo Alto, CA

Median Home Price$993,899
Monthly Rent$4,141
Median Income$82,922
Population66,848
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-47.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-47.2%
Median Income
$73,194-11.7%
Population2,720,556
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Palo Alto

2015$3,397
2020$3,321
2025$4,141

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.

Palo Alto

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$74,395

Chicago

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

Key Insights

47.2%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$1,953
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Palo Alto

Population66,848
Median Age40.2 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

Palo Alto

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)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Palo Alto?

Chicago is 47.2% cheaper for housing than Palo Alto. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $993,899 in Palo Alto, a savings of $468,625.

What is the rent difference between Palo Alto and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Palo Alto averages $4,141. That's a savings of $1,953 per month, or $23,431 annually.

How do incomes compare between Palo Alto and Chicago?

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

Which city is safer: Palo Alto or Chicago?

Palo Alto 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.

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