Chicago, IL vs Mesa, AZ
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago and Mesa sit close to each other across the headline cost-of-living indicators — typical homes within 13% of each other, median incomes within 5%. The relocation math comes down to non-housing factors: taxes, commute, climate, and personal preference.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$364,300
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$432,763
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,478/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
64.3%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
20.5x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$78,779 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$39,586
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.6% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
10.5%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
26.9 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
67.7%
Public Transit %
19.3%
0.9%
Work From Home %
18.3%
16.9%
State Income Tax
5.0%
2.5%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.4% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
20.9%
Median Age
35.7
37.2
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
—
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
9.8"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Mesa, AZ 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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