Moving from Chicago, IL to Raleigh, NC
Straight-line distance: 639 miles.
| Home size | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $1,064 – $1,673 |
| 2-3 bedroom | $2,661 – $4,138 |
| 4+ bedroom house | $4,609 – $7,137 |
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.
How Raleigh compares to Chicago
On median home value, Chicago comes in at $304,500 — 12% lower than Raleigh, where the median is $347,000.
Households earn a median $71,673 in Chicago, compared with $78,631 in Raleigh.
Monthly rent typically costs $1,314 in Chicago and $1,371 in Raleigh.
Raleigh carries FEMA's Relatively High hazard rating, compared with Very High for Chicago.
Chicago, IL comes out ahead on housing affordability versus Raleigh, NC, with both a lower median home value and lower rent. Housing only — not the full cost-of-living picture.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,721,914 | 465,517 |
| Median home value | $304,500 | $347,000 |
| Median household income | $71,673 | $78,631 |
| Median gross rent | $1,314 | $1,371 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Very High | Relatively High |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.