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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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RaleighvsChicago

Moving from Raleigh to Chicago will cost approximately $141,759 more on median home prices (37.0% higher). Monthly rent is $591 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 16.7% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
37.0% more
Rent
37.0% more
View RaleighView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Raleigh, NC

Median Home Price$383,515
Monthly Rent$1,598
Median Income$62,694
Population451,949
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+37.0%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+37.0%
Median Income
$73,194+16.7%
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.

Raleigh

2015$1,047
2020$1,252
2025$1,598

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.

Raleigh

Housing$7,889
Food$5,737
Transport$12,986
Healthcare$11,172
Total$43,876

Chicago

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

Key Insights

37.0%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$591
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
16.7%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Raleigh

Population451,949
Median Age32.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate420 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2087 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Raleigh

420
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2087
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 Raleigh?

Raleigh is 37.0% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Raleigh is $383,515 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Raleigh averages $1,598. That's a difference of $591 per month, or $7,088 annually.

How do incomes compare between Raleigh and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 16.7% higher than Raleigh's median of $62,694.

Which city is safer: Raleigh or Chicago?

Raleigh has a violent crime rate of 420 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.