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Chicago is home to almost three million residents, 2, 714,017 precisely, according to Area Vibes. The median age of people residing in Chicago is 34.9 says Data.io making the city an attractive place for millennials and young families.
How does the city accommodate over 2 million people?
Chicago houses 100 neighborhoods, 50 wards, and 77 community areas. This is partly why living in Chicago is never a boring moment.
Chicago is called the Windy City for a reason. Winters here are cold, windy, and long. But summers are great too with so many warm-weather activities.
If you'd like to visit Chicago when the weather is warm, you should do so from mid-June to mid-September, according to WeatherSpark. That same period could be one of the best times for moving to Chicago.
Here's how WeatherSpark describes the weather in Chicago:
What's the average commuting time in Chicago?
Tip: Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.
Chicago has one of the most reliable public transportation systems in the U.S. If you decide to use the public transport system for a month in Chicago, you'll most likely spend $100 according to Salary.com
On the average, the one-way commute time in Chicago takes up to 34.6 minutes. The U.S. average takes 26.4 minutes, according to Best Places.
If you enjoy riding bikes, you'll have a great time here. Chicago is rated as the city with the second highest number of commuters riding bikes to work. With a bicycle, the average time of commuting to work is 23 minutes according to Chicago.gov.
So, how fast can you get to work if you decide to move to Chicago?
These 10 reasons can help you make up your mind if moving to Chicago is right for you:
Chicago is a city for everyone and it is no surprise that Wind City has several neighborhoods ‘specially’ designed to cater to every lifestyle. People from every walk move here and fortunately every newcomer will call it their home.
If you are moving to Chicago and is curious to know the best neighborhoods in the city, here we are:
If you are moving to Chicago but are not keen to drive in the city, there is nothing to worry about as the Wind City boasts of a reliable public transportation network. Chicago’s public transport network is the 6th best in the US. Between the Chicago Transit Authority, the Metra Commuter Rail, bike lanes, and plentiful taxis, getting around Chicago without a car is easy — as long as you know what you’re doing.
For avid sports lovers, there is no better city than Chicago to settle down in the US. The robust sports culture is evident at every corner of the city – garages, bars, downtown areas, and restaurants. The Chicago team logos are everywhere: On caps, jackets, scarves, t-shirts, and hoodies. Chicago folks are proud of their hometown teams, and wearing their favorite team’s logo on their back is how they show it.
Chicago has a pretty reputation for being a clean city. Unlike many big cities – read NYC – Chicago authorities are very particular that trash and debris are out of the site. Trash is picked up regularly and its alleys are always neat and clean.
If you are a lover of arts and architecture, Chicago promises a visual treat with its structural masterpieces in every shape and form. It is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring architectural cities. The city is indeed a giant design museum, showcasing the best of American architecture and structural ingenuity.
Here are 10 iconic examples of breathtaking architecture in Chicago.
Chicago promises an unlimited list of mouth-watering dishes and if you are a foodie, you will get tired of living here. There are plenty of items to fill your plate every time you explore.
Here’s a list of Chicago’s iconic eats and mouth-relishing must-haves.
Moving to Chicago from a serene place, you won’t miss nature as there are unlimited parks within the city limits. Despite being home to about 4 million people and the heavy traffic around, the city keeps you, especially children close to nature through its array of green parks.
Whether you are looking for exciting seasonal events, playgrounds, or stunning formal gardens, find your favorite with our list of the best parks in Chicago.
In Chicago, the festival season never ends. While summer is jam-packed with food fests, outdoor concerts, and pride celebrations, winter brings in beer festivals, indoor markets, and film fests. And spring and fall have a little bit of everything.
Here is a list of some of the most famous festivals and events in the city and neighborhoods.
One of the big positives of living in Chicago is its geographical location. The city is centrally located making it easy to commute to every part of the country.
If you are keen on moving to Chicago with the family, here’s good news. The city boasts of premium education. The list of best schools in Chicago is here.
Here we're giving the chance to weigh your options carefully before making up your mind about moving to Chicago. The following are the pros and cons of living in the windy city:
Here are the pros and cons of living in Phoenix, AZ:
If you're moving to Chicago, you should be interested in living in the best places in the city. We wouldn't want you to conclude based on what you've heard or seen anywhere.
So, we've compiled data using studies conducted by Home Snacks to determine the best neighborhoods in Chicago.
These are the 10 best neighborhoods in Chicago, IL:
| Neighborhoods Place | Population | Median Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Center | 34,931 | $545,871 | $99,384 |
| Loop | 32,384 | $331,150 | $98,220 |
| Lake View | 97,804 | $373,419 | $88,165 |
| Lincoln Park | 64,965 | $508,008 | $99,720 |
| Edison Park | 11,128 | $345,364 | $98,327 |
| Lincoln Square | 41,305 | $381,276 | $72,563 |
| Near North Side | 83,049 | $434,335 | $97,802 |
| Logan Square | 73,470 | $338,254 | $67,769 |
| Forest Glen | 18,298 | $421,818 | $112,032 |
| West Town | 84,995 | $407,865 | $81,403 |
The cost of living in Chicago is slightly higher than the U.S. average. According to Best Places, Chicago's cost of living is 106.9 using the U.S. average of 100.
Housing is the most significant metric in the cost of living index.
If you're considering buying a home before or after moving to Chicago, we've compiled the most relevant housing information you'll need to make the right decision.
Here's a quick snapshot of Chicago's housing information using data from Zillow:
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Start My Quote NowAlmost half of the residents in Chicago are renters, 47.8% of the population precisely, according to Best Places. Finding a home to rent in the city isn't too hard. Up to 3.4% of homes and apartments in Chicago are open for rent.
So, what's the average price of renting a home in Chicago? Here they are below using data from Best Places:
Rather than draw a conclusion based on assumptions, we've compiled data using studies from Zip Recruiter.
Should you be worried about paying high tax rates if you're moving to Chicago?
The state of Illinois has the second-highest property taxes in the U.S. according to Chicago Curbed. The least joint 2023 sales tax rate for Chicago is 10.25%.
This rate is the sum of all county, city, and state sales tax rates. The state of Illinois current sales tax rate is 6.25%, according to SmartAsset.
Chicago is a beautiful city with so many attractive and breathtaking outdoor spots. Regardless of your lifestyle, you'll find a lot of things to do in Chicago to have fun.
If you're moving to Chicago, these are some of the best things you can do to have fun in the city:
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Chicago.
Crime rates are part of the most crucial things you'll have to consider if you're moving to Chicago. We've compiled a summary of the crime rates in Chicago using data from Neighborhood Scouts, and Area Vibes:
Crime rates in Chicago are rated among the highest in the entire United States. The city has a crime rate of 43 per one thousand residents.
If you're living in Chicago, the possibility of becoming a victim of either property or violent crime is 1 in 23. In fact, Chicago is rated among the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in the US.
Here are key metrics of how crime rates in Chicago compare to the rest of the U.S.
Chicago has some of the top-rated schools across the United States from elementary to colleges. We've compiled the best schools in the city using data from Niche and Great Schools.
Young Magnet High School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 7-12 | 2157 students
Ebinger Elementary School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 831 students
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 567 students
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 1-8 | 242 students
Lincoln Elementary School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 897 students
Ebinger Elementary School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 831 students
Hawthorne Elementary Scholastic Academy
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 567 students
Keller Elementary Gifted Magnet School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 1-8 | 242 students
Poe Elementary Classical School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-6 | 208 students
Lincoln Elementary School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, K-8 | 897 students
Young Magnet High School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 7-12 | 2157 students
Northside College Preparatory High School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 9-12 | 1061 students
Devry Advantage Academy High School
City Of Chicago School District 299, Public, 11-12 | 193 students
Chicago Bulls College Prep
City Of Chicago School District 299, Charter, 9-12 | 1136 students
Muchin College Prep
City Of Chicago School District 299, Charter, 9-12 | 956 students
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Wheaton College
Moody Bible Institute
Illinois Institute of technology
Loyola University Chicago
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