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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

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  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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

Last updated: Feb 2026

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PhoenixvsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Phoenix to Chicago will cost approximately $143,058 more on median home prices (37.4% higher). Monthly rent is $596 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 22.7% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
37.4% more
Rent
37.4% more
View PhoenixView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price$382,216
Monthly Rent$1,593
Median Income$59,662
Population1,563,001
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+37.4%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+37.4%
Median Income
$73,194+22.7%
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.

Phoenix

2015$881
2020$1,252
2025$1,593

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.

Phoenix

Housing$9,175
Food$5,768
Transport$13,114
Healthcare$11,621
Total$43,811

Chicago

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

Key Insights

37.4%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$596
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
22.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Phoenix

Population1,563,001
Median Age33.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate426 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2115 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Phoenix

426
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2115
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 Phoenix?

Phoenix is 37.4% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Phoenix is $382,216 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Phoenix and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Phoenix averages $1,593. That's a difference of $596 per month, or $7,153 annually.

How do incomes compare between Phoenix and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 22.7% higher than Phoenix's median of $59,662.

Which city is safer: Phoenix or Chicago?

Phoenix has a violent crime rate of 426 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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