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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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RochestervsChicago

Moving from Rochester to Chicago will cost approximately $126,847 more on median home prices (31.8% higher). Monthly rent is $529 more expensive in Chicago. Note that median income is 7.1% lower in Chicago.

Housing
31.8% more
Rent
31.8% more
View RochesterView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Rochester, MN

Median Home Price$398,427
Monthly Rent$1,660
Median Income$78,768
Population112,216
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+31.8%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+31.8%
Median Income
$73,194-7.1%
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.

Rochester

2015N/A
2020$1,302
2025$1,660

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.

Rochester

Housing$7,866
Food$6,016
Transport$13,310
Healthcare$8,818
Total$44,621

Chicago

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

Key Insights

31.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$529
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
7.1%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Rochester

Population112,216
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate309 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2046 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Rochester

309
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2046
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 Rochester?

Rochester is 31.8% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Rochester is $398,427 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Rochester and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Rochester averages $1,660. That's a difference of $529 per month, or $6,342 annually.

How do incomes compare between Rochester and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 7.1% lower than Rochester's median of $78,768.

Which city is safer: Rochester or Chicago?

Rochester has a violent crime rate of 309 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Rochester 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.