City comparison
No. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Chicago and Boston is the real story here. Chicago comes in 33% cheaper on typical rent ($1,440 vs $2,147), which over a year adds up to $8,484. Median household income runs $77,902 in Chicago and $97,344 in Boston.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Boston pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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 Boston are 850 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $707 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $97,344 in Boston, up $19,442 (25%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 147 in Boston, down 20 points (12%).
The move
Boston and Chicago are 850 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $707 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $77,902 in Chicago, down $19,442 (20%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 167 in Chicago, up 20 points (14%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Boston? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Chicago rent is 33% cheaper than Boston
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Boston
$2,147/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $2,147 in Boston, so Chicago is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $707/month back in your pocket ($8,484/year). Over five years that's $42,420 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Boston's median income is 25% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Boston
Winner$97,344
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Boston (about $19,442 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, Boston 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
12% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 12% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in Boston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Boston, 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
15% more comfortable
Chicago weather is 15% more comfortable than Boston
Chicago
Winner59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Boston
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Boston averages about 55°F (61°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boston averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Chicago scores 15% 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 Boston if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% 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.
Pick Chicago if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat Boston on this page's weather index by 15%. Boston may pay more or cost less, but Chicago is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 25% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Chicago (147 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
On rent alone, Chicago undercuts Boston by $707/month ($1,440 vs $2,147). I would not pick Boston on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 44/100 in Chicago and 48/100 in Boston.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Chicago; Boston only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Boston at $97,344 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Boston, plus other cities in IL and MA.
