July 28, 2026
Should You Move To Chicago? The Good, the Bad and the Windy
Chicago is a big city that offers world-class culture, public transportation, and housing costs that are less deranged than those in New York or...
Chicago is a big city that offers world-class culture, public transportation, and housing costs that are less deranged than those in New York or California. However, the trade-offs are real: long winters, a rising crime rate in some areas, and a property-tax sting. Still, for many, the pluses beat the minuses.
If you are looking for a guide to moving to Chicago, here’s some helpful information and resources about the city.
The strongest argument for living in Chicago is the sheer amount of city you get for the money.
The cons of living here are equally real. Winters are long and very cold, driving can be a bit of a headache, and homeowners face some of the highest property taxes in the country. Chicago is a big city with big-city friction, but it rewards people who indulge in what it has to offer.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, Illinois? The answer depends heavily on your neighborhood and lifestyle. Chicago metro workers earned an average of $35.28 per hour in May 2025, above the national average of $33.54. Pay was especially strong in management, business and finance, technology, healthcare, and skilled trades, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, Chicago is generally more expensive than the average U.S. city, but it’s often considerably less expensive than coastal metros like New York, San Francisco, Boston or Los Angeles. For many newcomers, this balance is part of the appeal — you get the amenities of a world-class city without paying the country’s highest housing prices.
Here’s what to expect when building your budget.
If you’re wondering about the cost of housing in Chicago, the city’s median home sale price was about $420,000 from March-May 2026, while average apartment rent reached $2,521 in July 2026. These are citywide figures, not promises. Downtown high-rises, luxury apartments and lakefront neighborhoods command premium prices, while many neighborhoods farther from the Loop offer more affordable apartments and larger homes.
One fact Chicago home buyers learn quickly: the listing price is not the ownership price. The median residential property-tax bill in Chicago rose 16.7% to $4,457 in 2025, according to the Cook County Treasurer. Condo HOA fees, insurance, heat, maintenance and parking are additional costs.
One advantage of living in Chicago is that many residents don’t need a personal vehicle. The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) trains and buses, along with Metra commuter rail, make it possible to commute, explore neighborhoods, and reach both major airports using public transportation. Eliminating monthly car payments, parking fees, insurance, fuel and maintenance can offset Chicago’s higher housing costs for many renters.
If you do own a vehicle, however, be prepared for additional expenses like paid parking, tolls, winter maintenance and traffic.
Groceries, restaurants, entertainment and utilities generally align with what you’d expect from any major metropolitan area.
Dining options span nearly every budget, from neighborhood diners and food halls to Michelin-star restaurants. Utility bills can fluctuate throughout the year, with winter heating and summer air conditioning often increasing monthly costs. Household spending is also shaped by transportation and housing, which together account for a significant share of the average Chicago family’s budget.
Two people can have very different experiences with Chicago’s cost of living. Someone living with roommates in a transit-friendly neighborhood may spend substantially less than a family purchasing a home with private parking and commuting by car every day.
A cost-of-living calculator is useful for a first pass, but build a Chicago-specific budget before signing anything. When calculating your potential expenses, include:
Chicago’s public transportation is a genuine advantage. Current CTA fares are $2.25 for buses and $2.50 for rail. A one-day pass costs $5, and a seven-day pass costs $20. The system works best for trips toward downtown or along established rail corridors. Crosstown journeys can still become an accidental tour of several neighborhoods. CTA fare information is worth bookmarking before moving day.
Where you live can determine whether public transit feels elegant or faintly punitive. River North, the West Loop, Lakeview, Lincoln Park and many downtown-adjacent areas offer strong access, but usually at a premium. Farther-out neighborhoods may offer more space and lower home prices, but with longer commutes.
Then there is the weather. Normal annual snowfall at O’Hare is 38.4 inches. January’s normal high is around freezing (depending on your POV, this can be magical or torturous), but summers are warm and humid enough to make residents temporarily forgive the winter cold.
Chicago’s crime rate varies substantially by neighborhood, by block, by time of day, and by the type of crime being measured. Safety ultimately relies on your routines and comfort level with the routes you use repeatedly.
Before signing a lease or opting into a mortgage:
Searching online for the “safest neighborhoods in Chicago” can also provide leads, but you can find official information through the Chicago Police Department’s CLEARmap. CLEARmap can be searched by address, police district, beat, ward or community area. Chicago’s public crime data is updated regularly.
The best neighborhoods for you will depend on your personal budget, commute preferences, tolerance for nightlife, family needs and appetite for high-rises. Chicago’s neighborhood guides are useful for getting a feel for each area before visiting.
No matter your interests, it’s difficult to run out of new places to explore in The Windy City.
Whether it’s a Cubs game at Wrigley Field or a quiet afternoon at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, there’s rarely a shortage of things to do.
Relocating feels more manageable when you have a plan. Before your move:
Yes, Chicago is a good place to live for people who want a culturally dense, professionally useful, neighborhood-driven city and can tolerate intense winter and higher tax rates. It may not be the best option for people whose happiness depends on warm weather, easy driving, abundant parking or low-maintenance homeownership.
Life in Chicago is not effortless, but it is rarely dull. The Windy City gives back most generously when you leave the apartment, ride the train, wander into the gallery, try the restaurant, and sit by the lake.
Whether you’re relocating for work, school or a fresh start, moving to Chicago comes with plenty of change. CORT Furniture Rental helps make the process easier by providing high-quality furniture that’s delivered and professionally set up before you arrive. That means less time managing logistics and more time enjoying everything your new city has to offer.
