Should you buy or rent in Chicago, IL?
Compare the cost of buying vs renting in Chicago, IL with local median home prices and rents from Zillow. Adjust the calculator to match your situation.
The Chicago Housing Market
Chicago's housing market offers more affordability than coastal metros, with a diverse mix of neighborhoods from dense urban cores to suburban-style communities. The metro area has seen steady price growth over the past decade, though values remain well below national peaks.
Rents vary widely by neighborhood—downtown and North Side command premiums, while South and West Side areas offer more accessible options. The median household income supports a broader range of housing choices than in higher-cost markets.
$334k
Median Home Price
$2,401/mo
Median Rent
$75k
Median Household Income
~1%
Property Tax Rate
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, often exceeding 2% of assessed value. Buyers should factor this into monthly costs when comparing to renting.
The calculator is pre-loaded with Chicago-area medians so you can explore how buying compares to renting. Adjust any input to match your own situation.
Median Home Value
Median Rent
Costs
Net Worth
Liquid Savings
Deciding whether to buy a home or rent and invest your savings is one of the biggest financial choices you'll ever face. With interest rates climbing, stock market growth offering potential rewards, and the allure of liquid cash for travel or retirement, the right decision isn’t always clear-cut. Owning a home can build equity and provide stability, but renting can free up resources for other investments. This guide will help you break down the costs, weigh the financial trade-offs, and determine which option aligns best with your goals and lifestyle.
Housing Costs
Renting typically costs less in the short term and increases relative to buying over time. However, this may be different in your case. The chart above uses the mortgage and rental costs you've provided to show how they compare over time.
Renting is less expensive across the entire mortgage term.
Net Worth
Your net worth is impacted by the rate of growth of your investments. For a renter, this will consist of savings and other investments. For a homeowner, this will also add any home equity built over time.
In 10 years, your net worth as a renter would be 0k compared to 0k as a homeowner. This is a 0k difference.
In 20 years, that difference becomes 0k
Liquid Savings
Buying a home can be a risk, due in part to the inflexibility of a mortgage and the non-liquid nature of home equity. How much cash will you have on hand for unexpected expenses or life changes? How would liquid investments grow compared to putting it toward housing?
Renting allows for more liquid assets, which can be used for time off or to buffer against unexpected expenses.