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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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South BendvsChicago

Moving from South Bend to Chicago will cost approximately $202,235 more on median home prices (62.6% higher). Monthly rent is $843 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 4.0% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
62.6% more
Rent
62.6% more
View South BendView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

South Bend, IN

Median Home Price$323,039
Monthly Rent$1,346
Median Income$70,348
Population103,757
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+62.6%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+62.6%
Median Income
$73,194+4.0%
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.

South Bend

2015$671
2020$900
2025$1,346

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.

South Bend

Housing$7,520
Food$5,294
Transport$12,924
Healthcare$9,840
Total$40,852

Chicago

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

Key Insights

62.6%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$843
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
4.0%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

South Bend

Population103,757
Median Age32.4 yrs
Violent Crime Rate333 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1553 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

South Bend

333
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1553
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 South Bend?

South Bend is 62.6% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in South Bend is $323,039 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between South Bend and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while South Bend averages $1,346. That's a difference of $843 per month, or $10,112 annually.

How do incomes compare between South Bend and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 4.0% higher than South Bend's median of $70,348.

Which city is safer: South Bend or Chicago?

South Bend has a violent crime rate of 333 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. South Bend 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.