Is Chicago Good Place To Live?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As the third-largest city in the U.S., Chicago is the ideal city for those who want to live in

a world-class metropolitan area with Midwest values

. … But don't let that deter you;the positives of living in Chicago far outweigh the negatives.

Why Chicago is a bad place to live?

From high rent prices and (really) high taxes, to pricey restaurants and exorbitant parking fees, prepare to shell out if you're making the move to the Windy City. According to PayScale.com, the cost of living in

Chicago is 23 percent higher than the national average

.

Is Chicago a good area to live in?

1-bedroom apartment average rent $2,210 Cost of living relative to the U.S. average 6.5% higher Sources: Nerdwallet and Best Places

Is Chicago a safe place to live?

These days

Chicago is a safe place to live

. Many people do live and work here every day, of course, and whilst there are some neighbourhoods that see relatively high rates of violence and crime, most are absolutely safe.

Is it expensive to live in Chicago?


Chicago can be an expensive place to live

, even if you're frugal. In part, that's because of a 10.25 percent combined state and local sales tax, a 2.25 percent sales tax on groceries, a . 25 percent restaurant tax, and the second-highest property tax in the nation.

What places to avoid in Chicago?

  1. West Garfield Park. West Garfield Park is the most dangerous in Chicago. …
  2. Washington Park. Washington Park is the second most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. …
  3. East Garfield Park. …
  4. Englewood. …
  5. North Lawndale. …
  6. Grand Crossing. …
  7. West Englewood. …
  8. Riverdale.

Why is Chicago so cheap?

Two reasons it's so cheap in Chicago compared to other major cities. First,

Chicago proper is *huge* in terms of land area

, particularly compared to Boston and NYC. Second, there is no geographical delimiter between areas of the city and suburbs; it's a conglomerate, *yet it's an old city with a huge CBD*.

What is a livable salary in Chicago?

However, the “living wage” is defined as the minimum amount of money needed to live above the poverty threshold. For Chicago, the living wage is

around $16.08 an hour for a full-time employed single individual

. It excludes expenses for restaurants, entertainment, and vacations. It also doesn't allow for savings.

What is the highest paying job in Chicago?

Rank Job Title Average Salary 1

Surgeons

$255,580
2 Obstetricians and Gynecologists $211,500 3 Chief Executives $188,500 4 Family and General Practitioners $182,930

What's the worst street in Chicago?

What are the worst areas of Chicago? The most dangerous areas in Chicago include West Garfield Park,

West Englewood

, and North Lawndale.

Is 80k a good salary in Chicago?

It depends on your situation. If you're single and have moderate or no debt, you should be just fine. If you have kids or support a spouse who's not working, then the math starts to get harder. If you don't go nuts on expensive things,

80k should be quite comfortable

.

Is rent in Chicago Expensive?

As of June 2019,

Chicago ranks 11th in terms of average rental prices

in large American cities. This means Chicagoans pay relatively low rents for a major city (especially compared to San Francisco, where the average rent is a staggering $3,700).

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Chicago?

To live comfortably in Chicago–factoring in housing costs, transportation, utilities, and groceries–you'll need to make

around $94,917 as a renter

or $84,765 as a homeowner. Unfortunately for many Chicagoans, the median income in the city is only $52,497, leaving a discrepancy of at least $32,000 on average.

Where is the safest place in Chicago?

  • Printers Row. Located South of the Loop, between Congress Parkway and Polk Street, Printers Row used to be. …
  • Gold Coast. Gold coast was once known as the Astor Street District and is now full of historic landmarks! …
  • Streeterville. …
  • Lincoln Park. …
  • Andersonville. …
  • Edison Park.

What is Chicago known for?

Chicago is Illinois' third most populated city in the United States. This large city sits on Lake Michigan, and it is famed for

its architecture

. Visitors flock to see architectural landmarks like the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). But it's got more than great buildings.

Which side is the bad side of Chicago?

Most of Chicago's most violent crimes and gang activity are located on

the West and South sides

of the city. In general, the further South and West you go, the more dangerous the neighborhood. That said, a few in South and West Chicago have benefitted greatly from gentrification.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.