Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Big-city amenities at close to the national average, a rare combination among major metros.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 107
Median 2BR rent: $2,200/mo
Housing: 116 vs 100
Groceries: 101 vs 100
Utilities: 106 vs 100
Transportation: 104 vs 100
Healthcare: 99 vs 100
Chicago offers world-class food, transit, and culture without coastal price tags. Housing is reasonable for a city its size, and the main trade-off is brutal winters rather than your bank balance.