2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Denver, CO

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Denver or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Denver is 20.7% more expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Denver or Chicago?
- Denver housing costs are 83.5% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Denver.
- Health related expenses are 4.7% less in Denver.
 Chicago, ILDenver, COUnited States
 Overall  Unlock127.6100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock83.9100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$576,000$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock116.1100
 Miscellaneous139.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Denver    470 Reviews

During my 25 years in Denver, I’ve witnessed trends found in other metro areas: homeless camps, panhandlers, worsening traffic, increased crime and rapidly appreciating  More

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I've lived in the Denver area for about eight years now. Moved here for college planning to get out as soon as I was done with college, and predictably got stuck  More

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I've lived in the city since I was born (1998) and I just was ready to get out. I'm a Denver native and I am ashamed of my city. I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  More

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