Chicago, IL vs Washington, DC
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Chicago runs $315,000 versus $725,000 in Washington, a 57% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 10.8% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$724,600
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$574,016
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,900/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
41.1%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
31.8x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$106,287 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$75,253
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
14.5%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
33.0 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
28.1%
Public Transit %
19.3%
22.3%
Work From Home %
18.3%
29.4%
State Income Tax
5.0%
10.8%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
6.0% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
26.1%
Median Age
35.7
34.9
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
67.8°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
41.8"
Annual Snowfall
—
13.7"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Washington, DC 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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