City comparison
No. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Chicago and Austin is significant: $77,902 median household versus $93,658. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $1,729 in Austin.
Austin is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Chicago makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Austin is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Austin are 977 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $289 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $93,658 in Austin, up $15,756 (20%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 162 in Austin, down 5 points (3%).
The move
Austin and Chicago are 977 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $289 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $77,902 in Chicago, down $15,756 (17%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 167 in Chicago, up 5 points (3%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Chicago rent is 17% cheaper than Austin
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Austin
$1,729/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,729 in Austin, so Chicago is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,468, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Chicago still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Austin.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Austin's median income is 20% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Austin
Winner$93,658
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Austin (about $15,756 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
3% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 3% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 3% lower in Austin. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Austin, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Chicago. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Austin weather is 20% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Austin
Winner76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Austin scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 20% higher ($93,658), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 3% lower than Chicago (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Austin runs 76°F typical weather against 59°F in Chicago (comfort scores 100 vs 83). Housing is $1,729/month versus $1,440/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
Austin still pays more locally ($93,658 median income vs $77,902), which can offset the lease if your field pays Austin rates.
Median income is $93,658 in Austin versus $77,902 in Chicago.
If climate drives your move, Chicago is the stronger match (59°F typical weather versus 76°F). If an employer or family tie already points to Austin, treat $1,729/month rent and $93,658 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Austin, plus other cities in IL and TX.
