Chicago vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison

Chicago's median home value is $304,500 — 63% lower than Los Angeles's $822,600.

Chicago's median household income runs $71,673, against $76,244 in Los Angeles.

Monthly rent typically costs $1,314 in Chicago and $1,791 in Los Angeles.

Neither city stands out on hazard risk: FEMA rates both "Very High."

Metric	Chicago, IL	Los Angeles, CA
Population	2,721,914	3,881,041
Median home value	$304,500	$822,600
Median household income	$71,673	$76,244
Median gross rent	$1,314	$1,791
Climate risk (FEMA)	Very High	Very High

Chicago, IL beats Los Angeles, CA on both housing metrics we track — home value and rent — though this doesn't capture the full cost of living.

Moving between Chicago and Los Angeles

Chicago and Los Angeles are 1,749 miles apart in a straight line.

What changes when you move	Chicago → Los Angeles	Los Angeles → Chicago
Median rent	+$477/mo (+36%)	−$477/mo (−27%)
Median home value	+$518,100 (+170%)	−$518,100 (−63%)
Median household income	+$4,571 (+6%)	−$4,571 (−6%)

Estimated moving cost (either direction)

Home size	Estimated cost
Studio / 1-bedroom	$2,147 – $3,434
2-3 bedroom	$4,703 – $7,457
4+ bedroom house	$7,708 – $12,173

Estimates based on typical per-mile and per-room moving-industry rates; actual quotes vary by mover, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Chicago, IL Los Angeles, CA

2,011 miles estimated driving distance · 33.5 hours of highway driving

DIY Truck Rental

$2,506 – $3,190

Includes an estimated $704 in fuel (201 gal at ~10 mpg) over 4 driving days.

Professional Movers

$9,070 – $16,971

Full-service crew, loading and unloading included.

Estimates based on typical rental-truck, fuel, and professional-mover industry rates; actual quotes vary by carrier, season, and access. Not a quote from any specific company.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index

Data last updated July 2026.