Whether you’re just thinking about moving to Chicago or you’re already on your way, congratulations! Consider yourself a big-city connoisseur!

The results of the Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards are in, and for the fifth consecutive year, Chicago has been crowned the #1 Big City in the US. On a global scale, Time Out ranks Chicago, birthplace of the skyscraper, as the second most beautiful city in the world. And while Chicago may be best known for deep dish pizza and hot dogs “with everything”, an explosion of top-notch eateries recently earned Chicago bragging rights as Bon Appetit’s Restaurant City of the Year.

But these accolades are just the beginning. What should you really expect from the third largest city in the U.S.? Let’s grab a hot dog and take a look.

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Cost of Living/Avg. Tax Rate

The cost of living in Chicago is best looked at through the lens of the city’s size. Housing is higher than average —  it’s 50% higher according to some sources — but rents are much lower than New York City and Los Angeles. But what does that all add up to? 

Cost of living

As you might guess, Chicago has a slightly higher than average cost of living.

NerdWallet tells us Chicago sports a composite COL of 122, higher than the national baseline average of 100. According to the AdvisorSmith Cost of Living Index of 509 cities in the U.S., Chicago scores 100.1 — just a hair above the national average. Expatistan puts Chicago at 16th on their COL index.

Housing

As far as housing costs go, Payscale tells us Chicago averages 56% higher than the national average (with most other living costs also well above average). But what does that actually mean?

NerdWallet puts the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chicago at $2,200/month. (In comparison, New York City and LA average $5,100 and $2,800 respectively.)

For 1-bedroom apartments, Numbeo gives average rents of $1,800 for Chicago, $3,300 for NYC, and $2300 for LA. Expatistan puts the average rent of a 900-square-foot apartment in a “normal area of Chicago” at $1,500.

Check out the 2022 Chicago neighborhood guide here.

Taxes

Illinois Tax Rate: 6.25%

Chicago Tax Rate: 10.25% (total of state, county and city sales tax rates)

According to Illinois Policy, Chicago’s combined state and local sales tax rate of 10.25% is the 2nd highest in the nation (it’s actually a four-way tie, though that probably lends little consolation to Chicagoans). And this is just the minimum. Avalara notes that “accurate sales tax rates are determined by exact locations” — so the tax you pay could be even higher.

 

“…Chicago today boasts over 600 public parks, over 25 miles of parkland and public property along the shores of Lake Michigan, and upwards of 15 miles of beaches.”

 

As far as Illinois state income taxes are concerned, SmartAsset lets us know that Illinois imposes a flat 4.95% tax rate on all Illinois residents (which is a little to a lot lower than 35 other states). Property taxes in Cook County, which includes Chicago, is 2.1%.

Chicago residents pay no city or county income tax.

Go to this Illinois.gov page for more information regarding personal as well as business tax responsibilities in Illinois.

Chicago’s Economy & Job Opportunities

Chicago boasts the nation’s most diverse economy, according to We Will Chicago. Among its wide range of industries, none makes up more than 14% of the overall economy. Chicago also claims the country’s 2nd highest number of Fortune 500 companies. Not too shabby!

World Business Chicago has a ton of reasons the city is good for business (over 100, actually), but here are some of the highlights:

• Chicago is home to more Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL) firms than any other city in the U.S. That includes over 200 TDL startups established since 2010. While the TDL industry covers traditional trucking and rail freight, there are also R&D grants covering innovation research projects involving technology like high-speed autonomous vehicles
• In Life Sciences and Healthcare, Chicago ranks in the Top 10 nationally for a range of scientists and biologists and it had the largest increase in VC funding for the life sciences over the past three years
• Owing in part to the city’s economic diversity, the Information Technology scene in Chicago is thriving as it serves all those TDL and Fortune 500 companies. It’s home to over 12,300 tech companies that employ more than 344,000 people and produces the second most computer science degrees in the U.S.

Looking to work in tech? Check out this piece on the growing opportunities.

Living in Chicago

Public Transportation

No matter how you wanna do it, getting around Chicago is easier than most places.

Chicago regularly garners high praise for its ease of walkability: the city gets a solid 77 from WalkScore. For more on what this score means, along with scores of the 25 most walkable Chicago neighborhoods, check what Curbed has to say.

For those inclined to go by two wheels, Bicycling ranked Chicago America’s Best City for Cycling in 2016. But when the frigid winter has you hopping on a bus or a train, how does Chicago fare?

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates 8 ‘L’ train lines and over 125 bus routes, allowing passengers to get across town for around $3. They are modernizing train stations and extending rail lines and — unbelievably — lowering fares by reducing pass prices and eliminating transfer fees. They’ve managed to continuously run throughout the pandemic, and in 2021 the APTA (American Public Transportation Association) recognized the Chicago Transit Authority with both the Outstanding Public Transportation System Award and the Outstanding Public Transportation Manager Award. 

Check out the CTA website for information on all their services, plus recent developments, updates, and service announcements.

Weather

Chicago has four distinct seasons, which can be a draw for many people. But the comfortable spring and fall can be overshadowed by the humid summer and brutally cold winter. According to the stats on Weather Spark, Chicago summers seem pretty mild, with the warmest month of July seeing an average high of 83 and average low of 71. Winters, on the other hand, are a bit more extreme. January averages a high of only 33 and a low of 22.

BestPlaces tells us Chicago gets 189 sunny days per year — fewer than the national average of 205 — and 125 days of measurable (i.e., at least 0.01 inches) precipitation annually. Weather Spark tells us that from July to September, it’s clear or mostly clear more than 50% of the time. Yet from December to March, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy more than half the time. Chicago’s rainiest months are May to August, with a monthly average rainfall of about 3.5 inches. April and September each bring about 3 inches of rain.

Chicago generally sees snow from early December to mid-March, receiving an annual average of 36 inches of the white stuff — which unfortunately is not always the light, fluffy variety. Mixed in with the snow comes cold, freezing rain, which only adds to the ferocious chill of the season. As a consolation, there’s the Pedway — a network of underground passageways that connect a number of buildings in the Loop.

Crime in Chicago 

A rise in crime has swept over the country in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, Chicago hasn’t been immune from this crime outbreak. As this graphic from Axios shows, violent crime, and gun-related crime in particular, has risen sharply across most of the city.

The Chicago Sun-Times began 2022 with this grim rundown of the recent explosion in violent crime, though they do point out that in some areas, crime has actually dropped; in a few cases, it’s at its lowest in thirty years. They go on to point out that “the increase in murders from 2019 to 2020 was 55%, according to CPD homicide data, though last year’s 3% increase over 2020 trailed the national increase of nearly 7%.” NBC News 5 Chicago reported that in 2021, Chicago saw more homicides than either New York City or Los Angeles.

On the other hand, US News puts Chicago’s crime rate at below the national average for 2020. Your best bet in ascertaining the crime rate is to check out the situation in the areas where you are planning to live and work.

Neighborhoods of Chicago

The Loop

If you want to live in the middle of the action, the Loop is the place. It’s also ground zero for Chicago’s extensive and highly-regarded public transportation system, so getting anywhere from here is a breeze.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments in the Loop average around $2,000+ a month.

Though the Loops is not really in the literal center of Chicago. The buildings that make up much of Chicago’s famed skyline and all the offices and financial firms that occupy them cast their afternoon shadows over the shores of Lake Michigan, just to the east. The rest of the city actually spreads out north, west, and to a greater extent, south.

The North Side

River North

This is a vibrant, lively, even rowdy neighborhood that offers some of the loudest — and priciest — nights on the town, much of it revolving around Hubbard Street. Apartments generally go for a shade more than those in the Loop.

Nestled in between River North and Lake Michigan is Streeterville, a district marked by high-dollar shopping along the Magnificent Mile and top-notch restaurants, with some Michelin-star dining included.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments in north side areas average around $2,400-2,500.

 

“With a world of things to see and do in Chicago, you may never take it all in, no matter how long you live there. That’s not to say it isn’t worth trying to see it all…” 

 

Lincoln Square

Located a bit further up north, the Lincoln Square neighborhood has a relaxed, almost small-town vibe, with bike-friendly streets and a mix of homes and apartments centered around the eponymously-named park of Lincoln Square. In the fall, things turn lively with Oktoberfest. (Protip: Take care not to confuse Lincoln Square, north of Wrigley Field, with Lincoln Park, south of Wrigley Field and bordering the Lake.)

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments in Lincoln Square go for around $1,400.

The West Side

Western Loop

This is one of those trendy warehouses-turned-condos neighborhoods, with some historic architecture as well as new buildings added to the mix. Randolph Street, aka Restaurant Row, is always lively, and with everything from cocktail lounges to dive bars, the nightlife scene covers everyone.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments in the Western Loop average about $2,400.

Humboldt Park

With its namesake park and West Grand Avenue running diagonally through the grid, this is a culturally-rich neighborhood marked by colorful outdoor murals, an eclectic mix of music, and a Puerto Rican community that makes up a decent chunk of this densely-populated area. Some streets are bike-friendly, but others are best avoided when going by two wheels.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments in Humboldt Park can range from $1,000-2,000. 

Logan Square

Made up of a mix of apartments and single-family homes, Logan Square is actually centered socially around the seven-acre Palmer Square. This neighborhood is a draw for families as well as young artists since it’s been recently transformed into a haven for the arts. Exhibitions and events go on all year in Logan Square Park’s Comfort House.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom apartments average $1,500-1,600.

The South Side

Hyde Park

Owing in part to the Gothic architecture of the University of Chicago, Hyde Park is an attractive part of town that boasts its own downtown strip along East 53rd Street. Sitting pretty between two sprawling parks, Washington and Jackson, Hyde Park is also close to Promontory Point, the 57th Street Beach, and, for ease of getting around, Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail. The 61st Street Farmer’s Market adds an extra bit of charm.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedroom in Hyde Park averages around $2,000-2,200.

South Shore 

Just south of sprawling Jackson Park, South Shore boasts a lively and diverse community offering corner bars, live music and some of the best views of the Chicago skyline. South Shore Park also offers South Shore Beach, and the South Shore Cultural Center recreation complex adds even more allure to this less-expensive option for good Chicago living.

Avg. Rent: You might find a great studio or 1-bedroom apartment here for under $1,000.

Morgan Park

This place is one of those intimate, walkable neighborhoods that is nevertheless anything but sleepy. Morgan Park homes have large yards, and those opting for apartments have easy access to the center of Chicago via the Metro. Neighboring Beverly offers a similarly safe, small-town atmosphere.

Avg. Rent: 1-bedrooms rent for around $1,000.

From dense and raucous to spacious and relaxed — and proximity to Lake Michigan either way — Chicago has what you want. Dig through HireAHelper’s guide to Chicago’s neighborhoods and suburbs and see what’s out there.

What To Do in Chicago

Getting Outside: Parks & Recreation

Owing to its early initiatives related to the City Beautiful Movement, Chicago today boasts over 600 public parks, over 25 miles of parkland and public property along the shores of Lake Michigan, and upwards of 15 miles of beaches.

Sprawling and spacious as they are, Millennium Park, Lincoln Park, and Grant Park are just the beginning of the extensive network of public spaces and trails that run the length of Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline. Garfield Park, west of the Loop, and Lincoln Park both boast conservatories that are free to enter. Washington Park plays host to the amoebic Washington Lagoon and the DuSable Museum of African American History. Along the water to the east, at the other end of the Midway Plaisance Park greenway, lies Jackson Park with its own lagoon. 

With parks come trails, and Chicago has plenty to explore. The Lakefront Trail runs a whopping 18.5 miles along the Lake, passing through parklands and numerous sandy beaches. Smack in the middle of town is the Bloomingdale Trail, a 2.7-mile elevated park/transportation corridor built on an old, extinct rail line. This trail incorporates nature, arts, and education as it runs above the streets of the city.

Go to the Chicago Park District to check out parks and trails as well as the many other facilities the city offers.

Food & Drink

When it comes to food, Chicago may conjure up images of deep-dish pizza and hot dogs with no ketchup, but there’s a world of top-class cuisine here in Chi-town. And they’ve got the creds to prove it, with 24 Michelin-starred restaurants in town — nine in the West Loop/Fulton Market area alone — and bragging rights as Bon Appetit’s 2017 Restaurant City of the Year.

Restaurant Row on Randolph Street in the West Loop is perhaps Chicago’s most famous strip for good eating. The Riverwalk runs for over a mile along the Chicago River and is packed with good times to go with the restaurants and bars. For an all-inclusive guide to Chicago’s foodie scene, check out Eater’s guide to devouring the best this town has to offer. To wash it all down, you can also browse 20 of Chicago’s best taprooms.

Putting an exclamation point on their love of food, Chicago hosts the world’s largest food festival, the Taste of Chicago. There is also a Craft Beer Week in May and the Lincoln Park Wine Fest in October.

The Music Scene

From the birth of the Chicago Blues to the hordes at Lollapalooza, Chicago has always been awash in music. Popular venues across town host artists playing rock, jazz, blues, and a whole lot more.

 

“The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates 8 ‘L’ train lines and over 125 bus routes, allowing passengers to get across town for around $3. They are modernizing train stations and extending rail lines and — unbelievably — lowering fares…”

 

If you’re looking for neighborhoods with a strong music scene, check out Choose Chicago’s Top 5 recommendations. Frommer’s offers this rundown of the various genres being played out across town. For an impressive listing of music venues by neighborhood, look no further than Chicago Music. For info on upcoming live music events, Choose Chicago has you covered.

Theater & Events

Chicago has a long tradition of live performances, dating back over 100 years to the 1926 opening of the Oriental Theater. Now the Nederlander Theater on West Randolph Street, this venue at the center of Chicago’s Theater District has hosted performers as far back as The Three Stooges and Duke Ellington, and is now a theater for Broadway in Chicago.

While dripping in history (and status as one of more than 350 names on Chicago’s list of National Register of Historic Places), the Nederlander is just one of over 250 Chicago theaters. Beyond the Theater District are the legendary Steppenwolf Theater in Lincoln Park, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, and countless storefront, comedy, and positively unique experiences like the Briar Street Theater’s Blue Man Group.

It’s dizzying, we know! Choose Chicago helps guide you through all the options.

Art Galleries

On the quieter side, Chicago is also home to hundreds of art galleries. A good number of them are concentrated in the Lower West Side Chicago Arts District, host of the neighborhood 2nd Fridays gallery gatherings, but there is an almost limitless range of art on display throughout the city.

A good place to start is the Art Institute of Chicago, a world-class art museum located on the south side of Millennium Park. The Hyde Park Art Center offers exhibitions while putting on community programs to engage the public. Or take in shows of street art at the Vertical Gallery in Ukrainian Village, east of Humboldt Park. And there’s always something new at the Chicago Truborn, where exhibitions rotate every five weeks and the motto is “become a collector”.

Check out Art-Collecting for a complete rundown of Chicago’s art scene.

Music Festivals

While the map is covered with art venues, Chicago’s calendar is jam-packed with events that anyone can enjoy. In addition to the Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza, there’s the Chicago Air & Water Show, the Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival, and of course, St. Patrick’s Day. And for an engaging artistic and cultural experience that lasts all year, check out Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks, a city-wide program of events and artistic performances that adds an extra layer to Chicago’s already vibrant cultural scene.

For more on Chicago’s menu of choices, go to DCASE, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Museums & Attractions

With all the art galleries, you might think there’s no room for anything else. But Chicago manages to squeeze in at least 67 museums ranging from art, history and science to stuff that’s wild and just plain weird. 

The Field Museum of Natural Sciences is home to a world of planetary history, including Sue the T. Rex. Chicago’s Museum of Science+Industry adds flash to the museum experience. Then there’s the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography (one of Chicago’s innumerable free institutions), and dozens of others categorized for quick perusal by our friends at Museum Hack.

Go even further by visiting the Adler Planetarium, the waterfront Shedd Aquarium, and the always-free Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the country’s oldest zoos. And there’s no forgetting Navy Pier, known affectionately as the People’s Pier. Marked by the iconic Centennial Wheel, Navy Pier has been a Chicago favorite for more than a century.

Sports

We’d be remiss if we didn’t pay tribute to Chicago’s sports scene — and their relentlessly fervent fans. No matter your interest in baseball, living on Chicago’s north side, where you’ll find Wrigley Field, automatically makes you a Cubs fan. On the south side, be prepared to root for the White Sox, whose corporate-name home stadium is still referred to as Comiskey. All over town, everyone is a Bulls fan, with home games held at the West Loop’s United Center where the Blackhawks, NHL champions in 2010, 2013, and 2015, also play. Of course, there’s no forgetting the Chicago Bears, with their hundred years of history and a long list of colorful players.

In case you need evidence of how seriously Chicagoans regard their teams, consider that the celebration of the Cubs’ World Series championship in 2016 brought out an estimated 5 million people, making it one of the largest gatherings in human history!

Moving to Chicago To-Do Checklist

Moving to Illinois (or any other state) involves more than just transporting yourself and your stuff. Familiarize yourself with all the boring necessities and get them out of the way so you can jump right into your new life.

• Register your car and update your driver’s license with the Illinois Secretary of State/DMV
• Gas emissions testing is required in Illinois every two years for vehicles four years old or older
• Forward your mail with USPS. Be aware that forwarding your mail doesn’t mean you automatically change your address everywhere. To make sure you have that covered, take a look at this checklist for every place you should update your address when you move 
• Update your voter registration, whether you live in Chicago or the surrounding areas of Cook County.

Top 5 Chicago Local Movers

Need someone to unload your stuff in Chicago?

When you’re ready to make your move, it’s time to call HireAHelper. You can hire a crew for just your heavy stuff, or you can have them handle everything, including transport. It’s up to you and what your move and budget needs. Here are just a few of HireAHelper’s most frequently hired, highest-rated movers.

S&L Express Moving Services

Price: $99/hr for two men (after 2-hour minimum)

Services available: Move Help/Day Labor within 40 miles of Bloomingdale, IL

Equipment available without fee: 

• Face Coverings and Gloves

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am – 5pm / Sun 10am – 5pm

Policies:

• Extra 20% charge for same-day requests
• Next-day requests accepted at normal rates
• No refund for any unused time
• No guaranteed availability beyond the pre-booked time

Why customers love them:

S & L focuses on doing everything it takes to provide excellent customer service. Customers give them high marks for being openly communicative and on time, working efficiently, and getting the job done professionally and politely. With over 6,000 jobs completed and over 2,000 5-star reviews, S & L has a proven track record of excellence.

Real review: 

“The movers were quick, friendly, and finished more than I had even anticipated in the amount of time I had thought it would take. Thanks so much for helping make my move smooth! Will definitely use again! ” – Kimberly C. 8/17/2022

Logan Lift Express

Price: $100/hr (after 2-hour minimum)

Services available: Move Help / Day Labor within 60 miles of Bellwood, IL

Equipment available without fee: 

• Furniture Dolly
• Hand Truck
• Straps
• Hand Tools for Assembly 
• Face Coverings and Gloves

Hours: 7am – 7pm Daily

Policies:

• An extra 20% charge for same-day requests
• Next-day requests accepted at normal rates
• No refund for any unused time
• Availability to stay at least 1 hour over the pre-booked time

Why customers love them:

Beyond working with speed, efficiency, and top-notch professionalism, the movers at Logan Lift Express have a strong reputation for being super friendly and positive! 95% of their customers give them 5 Stars, saying they would not hesitate to hire them again. Polite, respectful, and courteous, they get the job done quickly and correctly.

Real review: 

“MIKES TEAM!!!! These men were thoughtful when unloading the truck and pleasant to be around. They got the job DONE and I would hire them again for my next move.” – Elizabeth B. 8/20/2022

Just Us Movers

Price: $100/hr  (for two men after 2-hour minimum)

Services available: Move Help / Day Labor within 100 miles of Maywood, IL

Equipment available without fee: 

• Hand truck
• Furniture dolly/straps
• Hand tools
• Face coverings and gloves

Hours: Mon – Sat 8am – 10pm / Sun 9am – 6pm

Policies:

• An extra 20% charge for same-day requests
• Next-day requests accepted at normal rates
• No refund for any unused time
• Availability to stay at least 1 hour over the pre-booked time

Why customers love them:

Just Us Movers takes pride in their work — and it shows! They are quick and efficient from start to finish, no matter how long it takes to get the job done right. Customers gush about their skill in handling heavy pieces through tight spaces, with the vast majority giving them 5-Star reviews. 

Real review: “Just Us Movers did an excellent job! Because of my father being in the moving industry for awhile, I had some unfair expectations on how I thought the truck should be loaded and how the moving blankets should be used. Tyrone came in prepared with an excellent game plan and he delivered! He had my 100% trust and confidence. We ended up driving 3000 miles and not one item had shifted in the truck. Even after unloading, there was not a single issue with any of our items. You’ll regret it if you don’t hire Just Us Movers!” – Cody H. 6/21/2022

Allstar Movers

Price: $100/hr (for two men after 2-hour minimum)

Services available: Move Help / Day Labor within 24 miles of Schaumburg, IL

Equipment available without fee: 

• Face coverings and gloves

Hours: 8am – 5pm Daily

Policies:

• Same-day requests accepted at normal rates
• Next-day requests accepted at normal rates
• No refund for any unused time
• No guarantee of availability beyond the pre-booked time

Why customers love them:

The crew at Allstar Movers works hard to provide the service their customers expect. With over 4,000 jobs completed through HireAHelper and over 1,000 4-Star and 5-Star customer reviews, they have the proven experience needed to get the job done right.

Real review: “VERONICA AND RAY WERE GREAT!! They were fast, efficient and got my big fridge out of the house and into the garage! Very respectful, when they weren’t sure they asked!!! I want them back next week, after the floors are in to move the stuff back in!” – Susan N. 1/31/2022

Movemasters

Price:  $90/hr (for two men after 2-hour minimum)

Services available: Move Help / Day Labor within 100 miles of Berwyn, IL

Equipment available without fee: 

• Hand truck
• Hand tools
• Furniture dolly
• Straps
• Face coverings and gloves

Hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm / Sat-Sun 6am – 8pm

Policies: 

• An extra 20% charge for same-day requests
• Next-day requests accepted at normal rates
• Not refund for any unused time
• Availability to stay at least 1 hour over the pre-booked time

Why customers love them:

Movemasters pride themselves on building relationships with their customers by providing outstanding professional service. Timely, communicative, and understanding of their customer’s needs, they know how to work in tight spaces. With over 1,000 Hire A Helper jobs completed and 94% 5-Star customer reviews, Movemasters know what it takes to do their customers right.

Real review: “From start to finish, the folks at MoveMasters were fantastic and completely professional. They coordinated their schedule with the exact arrival time of my PODS container so that they can begin work right away. The helpers operated like a well-oiled machine and completed the job in under 2 hours. I would not hesitate to call them again for any future projects.” – Robert N. 8/11/2022

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Calling Chicago Home 

With a world of things to see and do in Chicago, you may never take it all in, no matter how long you live there. That’s not to say it isn’t worth trying to see it all in the Windy City! But regardless of how long you reside in the Second City, no matter how well you get to know Chi-town, lose the nicknames and just call your new home Chicago (and take in a few more tips from the locals). You’ll fit right in.