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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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Rapid CityvsChicago

Moving from Rapid City to Chicago will cost approximately $209,046 more on median home prices (66.1% higher). Monthly rent is $871 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 5.6% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
66.1% more
Rent
66.1% more
View Rapid CityView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Rapid City, SD

Median Home Price$316,228
Monthly Rent$1,318
Median Income$69,328
Population73,568
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+66.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+66.1%
Median Income
$73,194+5.6%
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.

Rapid City

2015N/A
2020$953
2025$1,318

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.

Rapid City

Housing$6,941
Food$6,142
Transport$13,549
Healthcare$13,616
Total$40,511

Chicago

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

Key Insights

66.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$871
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
5.6%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Rapid City

Population73,568
Median Age39.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate392 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1678 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Rapid City

392
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1678
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 Rapid City?

Rapid City is 66.1% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Rapid City is $316,228 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Rapid City and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Rapid City averages $1,318. That's a difference of $871 per month, or $10,452 annually.

How do incomes compare between Rapid City and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 5.6% higher than Rapid City's median of $69,328.

Which city is safer: Rapid City or Chicago?

Rapid City has a violent crime rate of 392 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.