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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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SacramentovsChicago

Moving from Sacramento to Chicago will cost approximately $25,856 more on median home prices (5.2% higher). Monthly rent is $108 more expensive in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
5.2% more
Rent
5.2% more
View SacramentoView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price$499,418
Monthly Rent$2,081
Median Income$82,922
Population490,715
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+5.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+5.2%
Median Income
$73,194-11.7%
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.

Sacramento

2015$1,170
2020$1,658
2025$2,081

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.

Sacramento

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$49,671

Chicago

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

Key Insights

5.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$108
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Sacramento

Population490,715
Median Age33.7 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

Sacramento

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 Sacramento?

Sacramento is 5.2% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Sacramento is $499,418 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Sacramento averages $2,081. That's a difference of $108 per month, or $1,293 annually.

How do incomes compare between Sacramento and Chicago?

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

Which city is safer: Sacramento or Chicago?

Sacramento 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.