Everett vs Chicago

Category / Metric	Everett	Chicago
Financial Overview
Median Income	$74,276	$74,474
Unemployment Rate	4.6%	4.2%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$564,990	$365,000
Price per SqFt	$362	$261
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$1,864	$1,507
Housing Cost Index	151.5	110.7
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	107.9	103.3
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.65	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	567.0	819.0
Bachelor's Degree+	32.2%	45.7%
Air Quality (AQI)	34	38

Chicago vs. Everett: The Ultimate Relocation Showdown

Choosing between two cities is like picking a new life soundtrack. One is a thumping, all-hours techno track; the other is a chill lo-fi beat with ocean waves in the background. In this corner, we have Chicago—the Windy City, a sprawling, iconic metropolis of 2.6 million souls. In the other corner, we have Everett—a scrappy, waterfront city in Washington State, home to just over 111,000 people. Both have median incomes that are shockingly similar, but they couldn't be more different. Let's dig in and see which one deserves your rent check.

The Vibe Check: Fast-Paced Metro vs. Laid-Back Waterfront

Chicago is the heavyweight champion of the Midwest. It’s a city of distinct, vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums, deep-dish pizza, and a sports culture that borders on religious devotion. The vibe is gritty, ambitious, and endlessly energetic. You’re trading endless summer festivals for brutal winters, but you get a city that never sleeps and offers big-city amenities without the soul-crushing price tag of NYC or SF. It’s for the career-driven professional, the culture vulture, and anyone who thrives on the energy of a crowd.

Everett, on the other hand, is the epitome of the Pacific Northwest's "work hard, play outside" ethos. Nestled between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains, it’s a hub for aerospace (Boeing is a massive employer) and outdoor recreation. The vibe is pragmatic, community-focused, and nature-forward. You’re trading the 24/7 hustle for easy access to hiking, kayaking, and skiing. It’s for the professional who wants a solid career but whose heart is in the mountains, the single who values a quieter pace, or the family that prioritizes weekend adventures over nightlife.

Who is it for?

• Chicago: The extrovert, the urbanite, the sports fan, the career climber who values diversity and cultural depth.
• Everett: The introvert who loves nature, the aerospace engineer, the family seeking space and outdoor access, the person who wants a major city (Seattle) nearby but doesn't want to live in its chaos.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your $100k Really Go?

This is where the shocker hits. With nearly identical median incomes ($74,474 in Chicago vs. $74,276 in Everett), you’d expect similar costs. You’d be dead wrong. Everett, despite its smaller size, is significantly more expensive, largely due to its proximity to Seattle. Let's break down the cold, hard numbers.

Cost of Living Comparison (Index: US Average = 100)

Category	Chicago	Everett	The Takeaway
Overall	106.5	128.7	Everett is 22% more expensive overall.
Housing	110.7	151.5	Everett housing is a staggering 37% pricier than Chicago's.
Rent (1BR)	$1,507	$1,864	You'll pay $357 more per month in Everett for a smaller space.
Utilities	$151	$159	Slightly higher in Everett, but negligible.
Groceries	$104	$112	Everett is about 8% more expensive for food.

Salary Wars: The Purchasing Power Puzzle
Let's imagine you land a job paying $100,000. Where does that feel like more?

• In Chicago: Your $100k feels like $93,500 after adjusting for the overall cost of living. You can afford a decent one-bedroom in a good neighborhood, save for a home, and still enjoy the city's perks. Your dollar stretches much further.
• In Everett: Your $100k feels like $77,700 after cost-of-living adjustments. That's a 15.8% drop in purchasing power compared to Chicago. The high housing costs eat into your budget, forcing tougher choices between saving for a home and enjoying life.

The Tax Angle: This is a big one. Illinois has a progressive income tax (currently 4.95% flat), and Chicago has its own city sales tax. Washington State has 0% individual income tax, but it has a steep 7-10.25% sales tax (depending on local levies). If you're a high earner who spends less, WA can be a win. If you're a big spender, the sales tax bite is real.

VERDICT: CHICAGO WINS ON AFFORDABILITY. It's not even close. For the same paycheck, your lifestyle in Chicago will be significantly more comfortable and financially sustainable. Everett's costs are inflated by the Seattle metro premium.

The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent

Chicago: A Renter's Paradise (For Now)
The Chicago market is relatively balanced, but leans toward a buyer's market in many neighborhoods. The median home price of $365,000 is attainable for dual-income households. Inventory is decent, and competition is fierce but not insane. Renting is a viable long-term strategy, with a healthy supply of apartment buildings. The big question is property taxes, which are notoriously high in Cook County, eating into the affordability of owning.

Everett: A Seller's Pressure Cooker
Everett is firmly in a seller's market. The median home price of $564,990 is nearly 55% higher than Chicago's. Competition is fierce, often leading to bidding wars and waived contingencies. Renting is expensive and competitive, with limited new construction to meet demand. The barrier to entry for homeownership is dramatically higher. You're paying a premium for the Pacific Northwest lifestyle and proximity to Seattle's job market.

The Bottom Line: If your goal is to own a home within a reasonable timeframe, Chicago's market is far more accessible. Everett requires a larger down payment and a higher income to secure a mortgage.

VERDICT: CHICAGO WINS ON HOUSING ACCESS. It offers more house (or at least a home) for your money and a less cutthroat buying environment.

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

• Chicago: Traffic is legendary. The "L" (elevated train) system is extensive and often the best way to get around, but rush hour on the Dan Ryan or Kennedy Expressways is a test of patience. Commutes can be long, but public transit is a viable alternative for many.
• Everett: Traffic is concentrated around the I-5 corridor, especially during commutes to Seattle. While not as chronically gridlocked as Chicago, it's still significant. Most residents are car-dependent, and public transit (buses, Sounder train) is less comprehensive than Chicago's system.

Weather: The Great Divide

• Chicago: Brutal winters with an average low of 21°F and heavy lake-effect snow. Summers are hot and humid, often hitting the 90s. It's a city of four distinct, sometimes extreme, seasons.
• Everett: Mild, wet, and gray. Average winter lows are a balmy 48°F, with rare snow. Summers are dry and pleasant, rarely exceeding 80°F. The trade-off? The "Big Dark"—overcast skies for months on end, which can impact mood. You trade winter coats for rain jackets and SAD lamps.

Crime & Safety

• Chicago: Violent crime rate: 819.0 per 100k. This is a complex issue. Crime is highly concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Many parts of the city (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, the Loop) are very safe. You must be neighborhood-aware.
• Everett: Violent crime rate: 567.0 per 100k. Statistically lower than Chicago, but it's not a crime-free utopia. Property crime can be an issue, especially in certain areas. As a smaller city, the crime is more evenly distributed, but the overall feeling of safety is generally higher.

VERDICT: IT'S A TIE ON SAFETY, EVERETT WINS ON WEATHER (IF YOU HATE COLD). Safety depends entirely on your neighborhood choice in both cities. Everett's weather is objectively milder, but Chicago's four-season charm is unbeatable if you love snow and sun.

The Final Verdict: Who Should Move Where?

After weighing the data and the vibes, here’s the final breakdown.

• Winner for Families: Chicago. While Everett offers space and nature, Chicago's affordability is a game-changer for families. You can find a single-family home with a yard in a good school district for $400k-$500k, something nearly impossible in Everett. The city's cultural institutions, parks, and schools provide immense value.
• Winner for Singles/Young Pros: It depends. Choose Chicago if you crave urban energy, a vibrant social scene, and want to build wealth through affordable living. Choose Everett if your career is in aerospace/tech, you prioritize work-life balance with outdoor hobbies, and don't mind a quieter social scene (with Seattle as your playground).
• Winner for Retirees: Chicago (with a caveat). The lower cost of living, especially for housing, makes retirement funds go further. Access to world-class healthcare and cultural activities is a huge plus. The caveat is the weather; if you have joint pain or hate the cold, Everett's mild climate is a better fit, but you'll pay a steep premium for it.

Chicago: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Massive affordability advantage over Everett and other major metros.
• Unbeatable public transit reduces car dependency.
• World-class culture, food, and sports at a fraction of NYC prices.
• Diverse neighborhoods offer a lifestyle for every personality.
• Four distinct seasons with beautiful summers and falls.

Cons:

• Brutal winters with snow and sub-freezing temps.
• High property taxes and city income tax.
• Traffic congestion is a daily reality.
• Violent crime is concentrated but requires neighborhood savvy.

Everett: Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Mild, temperate climate with no brutal winters.
• Direct access to outdoor recreation (mountains, sound, forests).
• No state income tax (a significant long-term savings for high earners).
• Proximity to Seattle's job market without Seattle's cost of living (though Everett is still expensive).
• Lower violent crime rate than Chicago, with a generally safe, community feel.

Cons:

• Extremely high cost of living, especially for housing.
• The "Big Dark"—overcast, gray skies for much of the year.
• Car-dependent with limited public transit.
• Smaller city with fewer cultural amenities and a quieter social scene.
• Seattle's influence drives up prices and competition.

The Bottom Line: If you're making a decision based on financial health and urban excitement, Chicago is the clear winner. It offers a world-class city experience without the financial suffocation. If your heart is set on the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, mild weather, and you have the income to support it, Everett is a fantastic, albeit pricey, choice. Your paycheck will stretch further in Chicago, but your weekends will be spent differently. Choose wisely.