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City comparison

Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

Safety is where Chicago and Denver split most clearly. Chicago scores 104 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,831 in Denver.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Denver 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.

Full Chicago reportFull Denver report

Chicago, IL

Rent
$1,440/mo
Median income
77,902
Crime index
164
Weather
60°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

21% cheaper

Chicago rent is 21% cheaper than Denver

Chicago

Winner

$1,440/mo

Denver

$1,831/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,831 in Denver, so Chicago is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $391/month back in your pocket ($4,692/year). Over five years that's $23,460 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 Denver, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

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Median income

22% higher

Denver's median income is 22% higher than Chicago

Chicago

$77,902

Denver

Winner

$94,718

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Denver (about $16,816 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, Denver 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

39% lower crime

Chicago's crime index is 39% lower than Denver

Chicago

Winner

164 (100 = avg)

Denver

268 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Chicago's crime index is 164 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% lower in Chicago. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Chicago is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

16% more comfortable

Denver weather is 16% more comfortable than Chicago

Chicago

60°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 86/100

Denver

Winner

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Chicago averages about 60°F (66°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Chicago averages around 60°F. Denver sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver scores 16% 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

Who should choose Chicago

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% 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.

Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 39% lower than Denver (164 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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Denver

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 22% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Open the Denver report →

Bottom line

Chicago vs Denver: Our Take

Crime and safety tilt toward Chicago: Chicago scores 45/100 versus 30/100 in Denver, with typical rent at $1,440 versus $1,831. I would vet the exact ZIP in Denver before trading 15 safety points for housing savings.

Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $77,902), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.

Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $77,902 in Chicago.

Pick Chicago when you want the stronger safety signal (45/100). Otherwise, Denver's case rests on a Denver ZIP you trust at $1,831 rent.

Common questions

Chicago vs Denver FAQ

Is Chicago cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Chicago is $1,440 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (21% cheaper). Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago compared with $94,718 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Chicago or Denver?
Chicago is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 164 versus 268 in Denver (39% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Chicago or Denver?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Chicago. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Denver. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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