Spanning more than 26 miles of Lake Michigan waterfront, Chicago stands tall as one of the most prominent cities in America. For those looking to relocate to the city, we’ve put together a comprehensive moving guide full of tips on everything from cost of living to nightlife.
Section One: Cost of Living in Chicago
Rent Prices
For most, housing makes up the majority of the cost of living in a city. As of our last National Rent Report, Chicago was the 12th most expensive rental market in the country, with a median one bedroom rent of $1,570 and median two bedroom of $2,180. Though expensive, Chicago is a relative bargain compared with other large cities – San Francisco actually has one bedroom rents over $3,200!
It’s important to mention that prices vary widely depending on the area of the city you’re searching in. Here is a snippet of our latest Chicago rent price map to give you an idea.
As you can see, median prices can range anywhere from $700 to $2000 for a one bedroom in the heart of Chicago. Cheaper deals can be found the further out you travel from the Downtown area.
Food and Utilities
According to a report by SmartAsset, a typical utility bill (including electricity, heating, and water) in Chicago will cost you around $121 per month. Internet normally will also run between $40-$60 per month depending on the plan you choose.
Meals in Chicago average anywhere between $12 at an inexpensive restaurant to $70 per person for a high-end dinner. Beverages are priced at an appropriate rate for a city – expect a cappuccino to cost $4, while a domestic beer at a bar will cost around $5.
Section Two: Moving to Chicago
Moving to Chicago doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Before starting your search, make sure you’ve thought through the following:
– Must-haves and what you’d be willing to compromise on. You may need to give up certain amenities to live in your favorite neighborhood, or otherwise look for a smaller layout or a different apartment type.
– Your search horizon. The ideal time to start searching is between 1-2 months before your planned move-in date. However, don’t be stressed if you only have a couple weeks to go; a surprising amount of rental inventory is usually available for immediate move-in.
– Your favorite neighborhoods. We’ve put together a curated list below of some of the more popular areas to get you started on where to live – whether you’re moving by yourself or with a family, looking for a residential area or one in the middle of the action.
– Documents you’ll need when applying for an apartment. These will vary depending on the landlord, but most require verification of work, a credit report, and references from previous landlords.
– Whether you’d like to live alone or with roommates. Roommates can mean considerable cost savings, upwards of 50-60% depending on the amount of people.
Neighborhoods
Chicago has 77 community areas split up into over 200 neighborhoods. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most popular areas we’ve seen for renters.
Compared with other downtown Chicago neighborhoods, this area has a much more diverse set of buildings, and a residential vibe. Near North Side exudes affluence, especially the Gold Coast district and Magnificent mile. Expect older apartments mixed in with new high rise buildings.
– Loop
The Loop has a number of attractions, from shopping to museums. Take a free visit to the Chicago Cultural Center or some of the other amazing cultural institutions that line the area. In the summer, the Loop hosts amazing events like Lollapalooza and the Taste of Chicago. If you’re in the market for a high-rise with a view, this is your spot.
A great area for student housing, as most residents are somehow affiliated with the nearby University of Chicago. The area has a distinct charm, with bookstores and restaurants near campus. Take a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry, once the site of the Chicago World’s Fair. Or head over to Promontory Point, a man-made peninsula on Lake Michigan with incredible views across Chicago.
– Lakeview
For those looking to live close to the ballpark action of Wrigley Field, Lakeview is your place. While Wrigleyville offers more of a lively bar and restaurant scene, the rest of the neighborhood caters to a more family-friendly crowd.
One of the most welcoming and peaceful neighborhoods, Lincoln Park is home to a free zoo, nature museum and conservatory. Some its most popular shopping and dining venues include Clark Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Armitage Avenue. The area is well known for brick row homes, historic churches, and a lively cultural atmosphere.
One of the hotter neighborhoods in the city right now, with a number of new residential developments sprouting up. A particularly desirable area considering its proximity to the lake, Museum Campus, and Grant Park, which hosts a number of outdoor summer festivals.
An eclectic, diverse, and youthful area full of bars, small boutiques, restaurants and independent theater companies. A strong sense of community in this neighborhood.
– Uptown
A former booming district in the 1920’s and 1930’s now experiencing a renaissance, with restored attractions and beautiful art deco buildings. The neighborhood is heavily influenced by jazz, with old theaters and venues surrounded by thrift shops and food outposts.
This northwest-side neighborhood has a distinct community feel, complete with community gardens and streetside farmer’s markets. You’ll also find great affordable restaurants, hip coffeeshops, and galleries featuring local artists in this hood. Apartments in this area are usually in the courtyard-style, many with exposed brick and character detail.
Along the northern border of Chicago lies Rogers Park, right on the shores of the lake. You can find beautiful apartments right by the water, many with easy access to running and biking trails. While a little out of the action, the neighborhood has great access to transportation, meaning many of the attractions in and around the area are a quick ride away.
Section Three: How to find an apartment in Chicago
There are a number of different ways to going about finding an apartment in Chicago. Full disclosure – Zumper is a full service apartment search company, but we of course want to provide you with multiple resources to search.
1. Let an apartment locator search for you
Apartment locators are services that will apartment hunt for you. Rather than searching online or walking around and contacting buildings, locators will understand your budget and preferences to curate places according to your tastes. Locators are normally completely free for apartment hunters, as they are paid on the landlord side.
Zumper Select is a free apartment search concierge and apartment locator in Chicago. After providing your budget, preferences, and move-in date, a local agent will curate a list of apartments they think you’d like. Ultimately, agents care most about your well-being and will only offer places that fit your preferences. If there’s a match, the concierge will schedule tours and follow up to make sure you get the best deal available. The service is also currently offering $100 off your first month’s rent.
2. Search yourself using online listing services
Options in Chicago include:
– Zumper: 12,700 active rental listings in Chicago
– PadMapper: 11,600 active rental listings in Chicago
– Craigslist Chicago: everyone’s best and worst friend, great for sublets and rooms.
– Chicago Housing Subreddit – usually a handful of posts each day directly from people looking to fill rooms or apartments.
3. Walk around in neighborhoods you’re interested in
A lot of times landlords will post signs directly on apartments with contact information. While time consuming, you’ll get a sense of the exact type of building and area an apartment is located in.
Section Four: Transportation
Public Transportation
Light Rail
Chicago has a robust public transit system that can affordably provide access across the city and its periphery. The Chicago “L” is the fourth largest rapid transit system in the and third busiest system in the U.S. A standard ride on the system costs $2.25, while day passes run $10. Monthly passes run $100.ch
Having a car in Chicago
Like in any urban area, owning a vehicle in Chicago is expensive. On top of car payments, gas, insurance, it’s important to consider the cost of parking both at home and on the street, as well as potential traffic tickets.
You can expect the following costs:
Gas – $3.15 per gallon
Parking at home – $150-$400 per month depending on neighborhood
Car insurance – 8-10% higher than the suburbs
Ridesharing
In the absence of a car, ridesharing is a common mode of getting around. Uber and Lyft are the two biggest players in this space, with on-demand ride hailing directly from any smartphone.
Car sharing
If you don’t want to own a car, but still want the freedom of driving a vehicle, car sharing is a great option. Services like Zipcar, Turo, and Getaround all offer the ability to rent cars on-demand by the hour or day.
Section Five: Additional Resources
If you’re looking for some secrets that even locals don’t know about, check out our post on the 11 Best Kept Secrets of Chicago. The post talks about things from an underground highway to Chicago’s best speakeasy.
Moving companies:
Thumbtack
Buddytruk
Movebuddha
Bellhops
Things to do in Chicago:
Timeout: Things To Do In Chicago
Choose Chicago Events Calendar
Cubs Schedule (MLB)
Bulls Schedule (NBA)
Blackhawks Schedule (NHL)
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