Chicago, IL vs Raleigh, NC
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago and Raleigh sit close to each other across the headline cost-of-living indicators — typical homes within 17% of each other, median incomes within 9%. The relocation math comes down to non-housing factors: taxes, commute, climate, and personal preference.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$377,800
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$428,831
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,468/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
51.2%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
21.4x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$82,424 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$49,948
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
11.4%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
25.2 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
65.1%
Public Transit %
19.3%
1.3%
Work From Home %
18.3%
23.4%
State Income Tax
5.0%
4.5%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
7.0% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.8%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
32.5%
Median Age
35.7
34.7
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
72.0°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
46.1"
Annual Snowfall
—
5.2"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Raleigh, NC 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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