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Moving to Chicago in 2024? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Chicago.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Chicago.

Planning to move to Chicago?

Moving is important for a better lifestyle, professional growth or for a location change. And if you are planning to move to Chicago then you must learn about the city before moving there. The cost of living in Chicago is high and basic amenities are expensive in the city. The public transport system in Chicago is extensive with bike-friendly lanes. The city experiences four distinct seasons with unpredictable weather. The city has various neighborhoods with distinct features and amenities. The city has a higher crime rate than any other city. You can find several options for fun and celebration in Chicago.

There are several other things that you might need to know about Chicago, and in this guide, we have explained those details for you.

Quick Facts of Chicago

Let us have a look at some interesting facts about Chicago

The city is home to the first skyscraper the Home Insurance Building built in 1885.

Chicago is known for its Deep-Dish Pizza.

Chicago has two major airports- Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport.

The city is the birthplace of Walt Disney.

The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies and is also a major center for business and finance.

Chicago is home to many famous landmarks including Millennium Park, Willis Tower and more.

The only river that flows backwards- The Chicago River

The city is also known as the “Windy City” because of the strong winds off of Lake Michigan.

Chicago is home to more than 200 museums.

Chicago is the birthplace of Brownie.

The city is home to the World’s Largest Public Library- the Harold Washington Library Center.

Top reasons to move to Chicago

Chicago is a vibrant city with unlimited opportunities in various ways. Here are some top reasons that justify your move to Chicago

Economy- Chicago is a major center for finance and business and is also home to many Fortune 500 companies. Several top universities in the city contribute to the economy of the city.

Diverse neighborhoods- Each neighborhood in the city is unique in a different manner. If you are moving to Chicago, you can find diversity in the neighborhoods and you have multiple options to choose one.

Housing- Despite being one of the most expensive cities to live in, Chicago has many affordable neighborhoods. The median home price in Chicago is $280,000.

Transportation- The public transportation system in Chicago is well-developed and there are all types of modes for commuting including “l” trains, buses and taxis. The city is walkable and bikeable, so you can walk or bike around the city.

Cultural hub- The city is a cultural hub with vibrant art and music diversity. There are more than 200 museums and over 50 theaters to explore the art, culture and music.

Food Paradise- Chicago is a foodie paradise as there is a variety of restaurants ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to casual food joints. You can enjoy different cuisines like Mexican, Italian and Japanese.

Nightlife- The nightlife in Chicago is vibrant and you can have a fun night at different bars and clubs. There is something for everyone like a place to listen to music, dance, and drink.

Sports- The city is home to many professional sports teams including the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Blackhawks, and more. You can always find something to watch in Chicago.

Family-friendly- The city is the right place to raise a family as there are several good schools and public libraries.

Pros & Cons of Living in Chicago

Before you decide to move to a new city, you should learn all the positive remarks about the city as well as the negative ones. So, here we have listed all the pros and cons of living in Chicago.

Pros of living in Chicago	Cons of Living in Chicago
Major economic hub with diverse range of industries	Crime rate higher than the national average
Diverse range of neighborhoods with unique characteristics and charm	Winters can be very harsh because of low temperatures, snow and ice
Home to world-class attractions like museums, theaters, parks, etc.	Sales tax and property tax are high in Chicago
Cost of living is relatively affordable	Traffic congestion can be a problem
Well-developed transportation system with multiple commuting options	There are limited opportunities to access the nature
Various iconic buildings and beautiful architectures	Air pollution is a problem during the summer
City experiences four distinct seasons	Parking can be difficult and expensive

Source: Chicago Magazine

Tip: When you've got a home to move in Chicago, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

Best Neighborhoods in the Chicago

Finding a perfect neighborhood for your family in a new city is challenging and Van Lines Move wants to simplify your relocation in all possible ways. So, we have listed the best neighborhoods in the city for you-

Lincoln Park- This is one of the most popular neighborhood in the city and is home to various attractions. Major attractions include Lincoln Park Zoo, the DePaul University Campus, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

Lakeview- This is a family-friendly neighborhood with strong belief in community. The neighborhood is home to Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs and many beaches. This locality has some good schools.

Wicker Park- A trendy neighborhood with a vibrant art and music scene. This neighborhood has many green spaces, shops, restaurants and bars.

Bucktown- This is a charming neighborhood where you can see a mix of historic and modern architecture. There are many independent shops, restaurants, bars, etc.

Logan Square- A hip and happening neighborhood with excellent food and arts scene. There are many trendy shops, restaurants, and bars in this neighborhood. This locality has several parks and green spaces.

River North- This is a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of bars, restaurants, and entertainment centers. There are several art galleries and museums in River North.

West Loop- A trendy neighborhood with a thriving food and restaurant scene. The neighborhood is home to various Michelin-starred restaurants. You can explore art galleries and museums in the neighborhood.

Old Town- The neighborhood is historic with a charming atmosphere. You will find many historic buildings, shops and restaurants.

Source: Livability.com

Cost of living in Chicago

The cost of living in Chicago is slightly higher than the national average. The cost of living index in Chicago is 138.9 which is evaluated by considering the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, utilities etc. If you are moving to Chicago, then you need to keep all these expenses in mind while preparing the moving budget.

For easy assessment of the cost of living in Chicago, we have listed all the major expense-

Expense	Average Cost
Rent	$1,735 per month
Utilities	$129 per month
Food	$284 per month
Transportation	$684 per month
Healthcare	$443 per month
Other expenses (entertainment, clothing, etc.)	$452 per month

Source: Numbeo

Housing Market in Chicago

The housing market in Chicago is currently experiencing some fluctuations and the prices are slightly higher than last year. The median home price in Chicago in September 2023 was $335,000. It is predicted that the housing market in Chicago will continue to improve in the coming year. The housing market in Chicago is affected by many factors including the economy, interest rates and supply of homes.

Average rental cost in Chicago

The average rental cost of a house in Chicago ranges between $1,399 and $2,669 per month. The average rental cost depends on the size and location of the property.

Chicago job market

Most people relocate to a new city to find a better job and grow on their current designation. If you are moving to Chicago for any of the given options then you should understand the status of the job market.

The job market in Chicago is currently strong and there are ample job opportunities in various industries. There are many Fortune 500 companies in Chicago. The unemployment rate in the city is 4.6% which is slightly below the national average.

Top Career Options in Chicago

Choose the right career option from the table given here-

Job title	Average salary	Entry-Level Salary	Total number of employees
Software Engineer	$65,000	$110,000	122,000
Web Developer	$50,000	$80,000	100,000
Data Scientist	$70,000	$120,000	80,000
IT Project Manager	$60,000	$90,000	70,000
Information Security Analyst	$65,000	$100,000	60,000
Registered Nurse	$55,000	$85,000	50,000
Accountant	$50,000	$75,000	40,000
Marketing Specialist	$50,000	$75,000	30,000
Sales Representative	$50,000	$75,000	20,000
Customer Service Representative	$40,000	$55,000	10,000

Median Salary in Chicago

The median salary in Chicago in 2021 was $65,781 which is higher than the national median household income. The median household income in Chicago has been increasing in recent years.

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Major industries in Chicago

These are some of the major industries and employers of Chicago-

Finance

Insurance

Manufacturing

Professional services

Business services

Healthcare

Transportation

Logistics

Education

Technology

Retail

Tourism

Source: Chicago Regional Commission

Best things to do in Chicago

The Windy City has a lot to offer when it comes to fun and enjoyment. Here are a few things that you can do while you are in Chicago-

Visit Millenium Park which is in the heart of the city and home to many attractions like the Cloud Gate sculpture and the Crown Fountain.

Visit the Art Institute of Chicago which is one of the largest comprehensive art museums. You can explore over 110,000 works of art.

Go for a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk

You can explore the city and famous landmarks with the boat tour offered by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

Learn all about the dinosaurs, animals and plants at the Field Museum of Natural History.

Catch a match at Wrigley Field

Enjoy a ride on the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

Education System in Chicago

A good school or college will help you get a quality education at all the stages. But finding the right school can be challenging, so we have listed the top schools, colleges and universities in Chicago-

Elementary schools in Chicago
City Elementary
Bronzeville Classical Elementary School
Portage Park Elementary School
Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School
Holden Elementary School

Middle Schools in Chicago
Evergreen Academy Middle School
Northwest Middle School
Madero Middle School
Chicago West Side Christian School
Mark Sheridan Math & Science Academy

High Schools in Chicago
Lane Tech College Prep High School
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School
Lincoln Park High School
Noble Street College Prep

Universities and Colleges in Chicago
University of Chicago
Northwestern University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Loyola University Chicago
DePaul University

Transportation & Navigation in Chicago

The transportation and navigation in Chicago are considered efficient as the city has a well-developed public transportation system. The city has a network of highways and expressways and offers paths for walking and biking.

Public Transportation- The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates “L” trains, buses and taxis in the city.

The “L” Train- This a rapid transit system that has eight lines including- Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Brown, Pink, Purple and Yellow.

Buses- The city has a network of buses that runs around the city and you can get around the city conveniently and affordably.

Taxis- In Chicago, taxis are readily available on the street and you can call one when you need them. Taxis can be an expensive mode of commuting.

Biking- Chicago is a bike-friendly city which has designated lanes and trails for biking. Can use bike-sharing programs in the city to rent a bike. This is one of the best ways to get around the city.

Walking- The city has many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that make Chicago a walkable city. You can walk to the city attractions, green spaces and parks to enjoy.

Navigation- Chicago is a large city and you might need a navigation app to get around. Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze are the navigation apps available online.

Type of insurance required in Chicago

Insurance is required to provide financial assistance in different scenarios-

Auto Insurance- All drivers in Illinois are required to have automobile insurance and this has minimum liability of

$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in accident.

$50,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person in accident.

$20,000 for damage to property of another person.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance- All employers in Illinois have to carry worker’s compensation insurance for their employees. This insurance covers employees in the event of a work-related injury or illness.

General Liability Insurance- This type of insurance is not required by law in Chicago but it is recommended for all size businesses. This will protect businesses from liability claims arising from property damage and disability injury.

Professional Liability Insurance- This type of insurance is not required for certain professions like doctors, lawyers, and architects. This type of insurance will protect the professionals from liability claims arising from their work.

Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Department of Insurance

Taxes in Chicago

When you move to a new city, you need to learn about the different taxes you have to pay there. In Chicago you have to pay the following taxes as per their applicability-

Income Tax- The residents of Chicago have to pay income tax as per their taxable income. The income tax rate in Chicago is 2.75% for the residents and 1.75% for non-residents.

Sales Tax- The sales tax is applicable on most of the retail purchases, and the rate for sales tax in Chicago is 10.25%.

Property Tax- The property tax is evaluated based on the assessed value of your property and its rate is 1%.

Utility Tax- There is a utility tax in Chicago that is applied to natural gas, water and electricity. The utility tax rate in Chicago is 3%.

Motor vehicle tax- This tax applies to all the vehicles registered in Chicago. It is $150 per car.

Parking tax- There is a parking tax of $3 per hour in Chicago and it is applied to on-street parking in the River North and Loop neighborhoods.

Hotel Tax- There is a hotel tax in Chicago of 16.4% which is applied to the cost of your hotel

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.

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