Cost of Living Comparison
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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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Top Routes

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

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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SeattlevsChicago

Moving from Seattle to Chicago will save you approximately $5,647 on median home prices (1.1% less). Monthly rent is $24 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 2.2% lower in Chicago.

Housing
1.1% cheaper
Rent
1.1% cheaper
View SeattleView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price$530,921
Monthly Rent$2,212
Median Income$74,820
Population684,443
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-1.1%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-1.1%
Median Income
$73,194-2.2%
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.

Seattle

2015$1,625
2020$1,724
2025$2,212

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.

Seattle

Housing$10,040
Food$6,538
Transport$13,805
Healthcare$8,679
Total$51,246

Chicago

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

Key Insights

1.1%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$24
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
2.2%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Seattle

Population684,443
Median Age35.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate336 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3036 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Seattle

336
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3036
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 Seattle?

Chicago is 1.1% cheaper for housing than Seattle. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $530,921 in Seattle, a savings of $5,647.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Seattle averages $2,212. That's a savings of $24 per month, or $282 annually.

How do incomes compare between Seattle and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 2.2% lower than Seattle's median of $74,820.

Which city is safer: Seattle or Chicago?

Seattle has a violent crime rate of 336 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Seattle 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.