Chicago, IL vs Rochester, NY
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Rochester runs $121,000 versus $315,000 in Chicago, a 62% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 10.9% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$120,600 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$228,692
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,039/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
37.2%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
9.7x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$46,628
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$30,451
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
7.9% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
26.6%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
20.7 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
65.8%
Public Transit %
19.3%
5.4%
Work From Home %
18.3%
10.8%
State Income Tax
5.0%
10.9%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.5% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
17.3%
Median Age
35.7
33.5
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
35.1"
Annual Snowfall
—
102"
Chicago, IL 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Rochester, NY 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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