City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
Chicago and Sacramento 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 $1,779 in Sacramento, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $87,321. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Sacramento 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 Sacramento are 1,788 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $339 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $9,419 (12%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 181 in Sacramento, up 14 points (8%).
The move
Sacramento and Chicago are 1,788 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $339 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $77,902 in Chicago, down $9,419 (11%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 167 in Chicago, down 14 points (8%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Sacramento, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Sacramento? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Chicago rent is 19% cheaper than Sacramento
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Chicago is 19% 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 $4,068, 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 Sacramento.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Sacramento's median income is 12% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Sacramento (about $9,419 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, Sacramento 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
8% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 8% lower than Sacramento
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 181 in Sacramento (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Chicago. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chicago, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Sacramento. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 20% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Sacramento
Winner69°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Sacramento averages about 69°F (81°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Sacramento sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Sacramento 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
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 19% 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 8% lower than Sacramento (167 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.
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 12% higher ($87,321), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Sacramento runs $1,779/month while Chicago sits at $1,440 — roughly 19% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Sacramento-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below Sacramento's $1,779, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $77,902 in Chicago.
Chicago is the default on housing cost at $1,440/month versus $1,779 in Sacramento; Sacramento stays in play when $87,321 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $339 lease gap.
Common questions
Ready to move to Chicago?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Sacramento, plus other cities in IL and CA.
