You may think that the cost of living in Chicago will hurt your pocketbook, but many expenses in Chicago are in line with the state averages, which are lower than the nation as a whole. While homes for sale in Chicago, IL, are more expensive than other cities in Illinois, it is generally less costly to live in Chicago than in larger American cities.
Source:exitrealtyredefined.com
According to some affordability metrics, Chicago is close to nearby Evanston, Illinois, and the nation as a whole, but generally a little lower than Evanston. With a scale that places the U.S. average at 100, Evanston rated 128.30 for overall cost of living, 103 for grocery expenses, 104 for healthcare, 175 for housing and 106 for utilities. Housing costs are slightly higher than the nation as a whole at 101, slightly higher than the US overall, but 75 points lower than Evanston.
Overall, the cost of living in Chicago was lower than Evanston, which rated at 103, with scores of 103 for groceries, 104 for healthcare and 106 for utilities. Wages in Chicago are in line with the state average and are higher than in cities like Evanston. In Chicago, an executive averages $55,661, and an administrative assistant averages $39,834. This is slightly higher than the Illinois average of $38,800 for an administrative assistant and $53,601 for an executive. In comparison, an executive assistant in Evanston will make around $50,000, even though the cost of living in Evanston is higher than in Chicago.
Source:lollipopsicle.net
Compared to Indianapolis -- a major midwestern city that has a longstanding, playful beef with Chi-town -- Chicago is more expensive when it comes to groceries. Housing in the center of Chicago ranges from 60 to 100 percent more than Indy, but utilities are cheaper in Chicago -- by nearly 42 percent. The Windy City offers the advantage of Chicago attractions as well as a broad selection of transportation options and access to every amenity you can imagine. Around 60 percent of people travel by car in Indy, nearly double the 31.3 percent found in Chicago. Although there is affordable mass transit in Indianapolis, a car tends to be more convenient, adding a significant expense that illustrates one of the advantages of hanging your hat in the Windy City.
Source:uswanderer.com
Chicago real estate has been hot recently. The median price of a home in Chicago hovers around $200,000, depending on where you look for information, which is a significant rise from its low in 2013 of $164,000. If you browse listings on Movoto Real Estate, you may find an attractive one bedroom with a den loft in the West Loop or a charming townhouse.
