Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 3% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Raleigh is $75 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Raleigh is $32 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Raleigh is $2 (0%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Chicago is $70 (3%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $19,966 (24%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Raleigh is $5,414 (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Raleigh is $5,148 (11%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Raleigh is $117,600 (39%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Chicago is $3,030 (100%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Chicago vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Raleigh is $31 (27%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Chicago is $21 (53%) higher than Raleigh

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Raleigh is $120 (6%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Raleigh are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Raleigh are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Chicago is 0.8% (10%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Chicago vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Chicago is 0.5% (10%) higher than Raleigh

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Chicago is 1.5% (32%) higher than Raleigh

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Chicago is 1.8% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Chicago vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Chicago is 6.6 min (26%) higher than Raleigh

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 8.2% (15%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Chicago is 12.3% (1757%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $120 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $361 (7%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $276 (4%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Raleigh.

Is Chicago or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh is approximately $32 (2%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Chicago and Raleigh

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Raleigh profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.