Cost of Living: Chicago vs Los Angeles (2026)
United States vs United States — relocation comparison
Wise ✓ · Wise ✓
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
Post-Dobbs (2022): varies dramatically by state. Fully banned in ~14 states, protected in ~20 states.
Post-Dobbs (2022): varies dramatically by state. Fully banned in ~14 states, protected in ~20 states.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
The Short Version
- •Rent is 16% cheaper in Chicago ($2388/mo vs $2839/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Los Angeles (28°C vs 27°C).
- •Los Angeles is safer by homicide rate (7.0 vs 17.5 per 100k).
Chicago vs Los Angeles — Common Questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Los Angeles?▾
Chicago is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $2388/month in Chicago vs $2839/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Chicago or Los Angeles?▾
Los Angeles is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Chicago has a rate of 17.50 per 100,000 and Los Angeles has 7.00 per 100,000.
Should I move to Chicago or Los Angeles?▾
Too close to call — 58 vs 54. Los Angeles has a slight edge, but Chicago might suit you better depending on your priorities. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Chicago or Los Angeles?▾
Chicago: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). Los Angeles: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
What's the cost of rent in Chicago vs Los Angeles?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $2388/month in Chicago, $2839/month in Los Angeles (Numbeo). That's 16% cheaper rent in Chicago.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Chicago
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2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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