City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Chicago and Washington is significant: $77,902 median household versus $109,870. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $1,954 in Washington.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and Washington 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 Washington are 594 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $514 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $109,870 in Washington, up $31,968 (41%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 223 in Washington, up 56 points (34%).
The move
Washington and Chicago are 594 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $514 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $77,902 in Chicago, down $31,968 (29%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 167 in Chicago, down 56 points (25%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Washington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Chicago rent is 26% cheaper than Washington
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Washington
$1,954/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,954 in Washington, so Chicago is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $514/month back in your pocket ($6,168/year). Over five years that's $30,840 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 Washington, 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
41% higher
Washington's median income is 41% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Washington
Winner$109,870
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 41% higher in Washington (about $31,968 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, Washington 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
25% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 25% lower than Washington
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Washington weather is 4% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
Washington
Winner60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); Washington averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Washington averages around 60°F. Washington scores 4% 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 26% 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 25% lower than Washington (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 41% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Washington posts $109,870 median household income against $77,902 in Chicago. That 29% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,440 in Chicago and $1,954 in Washington.
Washington still pays more locally ($109,870 median income vs $77,902), which can offset the lease if your field pays Washington rates.
Safety scores read 44/100 in Chicago and 36/100 in Washington.
Washington leads on local pay ($109,870 median income vs $77,902), even though rent runs $1,954 versus $1,440 — skip Washington only if you are optimizing for the cheaper lease, not the paycheck.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Washington, plus other cities in IL and DC.
