Skip to content
piomover.
Start a comparison

City guide · Illinois

Moving to Chicago, IL

Architecture, food, brutal winters, lake views.

Pop. 2.7MCost index 102.1 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,900/moMedian home $309kWalk score 77

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity (live) city-level

Chicago (metro area) has an overall price level 102.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
102.1
Housing index
93.9
Groceries index (modeled)
100.5
Utilities index (modeled)
100.3
Electricity rate
18.9 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
100.4
Median home value (est.)
$309,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,900/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Illinois unemployment is 5.1% with median household income $83k.

Unemployment rate
5.1%
Median household income
$83,211
Per-capita income
$46,937
Labor-force participation
65.5%
Right-to-work state
No
Nurse Licensure Compact
Non-member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Chicago: median home value $309,000.

Home value
$309,000
Rent
$1,900/mo
Homeownership rate
68.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
54/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Elevated

Sources: NAEP 2024 · NCES CCD · College Scorecard (live) · internal estimates state-level

Illinois 4th-grade math proficiency: 38.1% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
38.1%
Per-pupil spending
$18,226
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
18
Public 4-yr grad rate
49.0%
Notable universities
U of Chicago, UIUC, Northwestern

Compare Chicago to where you live now

Salary you'd need, tax delta, rent reality-check, and a 90-day move timeline — one clear verdict.

Start free comparison