City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Columbus, OH
- Rent is 11% lower in Columbus (median $1,295/mo vs $1,440/mo in Chicago).
- Homes cost 32% less in Columbus ($253k vs $334k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $336 more a month after taxes and rent in Columbus.
- Schools rate higher in Chicago (2.4/10 vs 1.3/10).
- Chicago gets more sun (189 vs 170 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,295/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $253k |
| Median household income | $78k | $66k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,731 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 1.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | about the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 85°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 30°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 170 |
| Walk score | 77 | 40 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 914,802 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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