City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Chicago and Raleigh are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,440 in Chicago and $1,572 in Raleigh, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $85,395. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Raleigh 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 Raleigh is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Chicago and Raleigh are 641 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $132 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $7,493 (10%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 142 in Raleigh, down 25 points (15%).
The move
Raleigh and Chicago are 641 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $132 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $77,902 in Chicago, down $7,493 (9%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 167 in Chicago, up 25 points (18%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Chicago rent is 8% cheaper than Raleigh
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Chicago is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $132, or $1,584 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Raleigh's median income is 10% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Raleigh (about $7,493 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
15% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 15% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, 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
Raleigh weather is 20% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Raleigh
Winner67°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Raleigh averages about 67°F (76°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Raleigh 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 8% 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 10% higher ($85,395), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Chicago (142 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 weather alone, Raleigh is the warmer market (67°F) and Chicago the cooler (59°F). Typical leases run $1,572 and $1,440; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $77,902 in Chicago.
Between Chicago and Raleigh, Raleigh is ahead on climate — 67°F typical weather versus 59°F. Lean Chicago instead when you would rather tolerate 59°F than optimize for Raleigh's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Raleigh when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Raleigh, plus other cities in IL and NC.
